^. 


o^x^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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1.0 


I.I 


■^  Ih   IIIII22 

Si  lis  IIIIIM 


1.8 


L25  IIIIII.4   111111.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


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CIHM/ICMH 

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The  c( 
to  the 


The  ir 
possil 
of  the 
filmin 


Origir 
begin 
the  la 
sion, 
other 
first  I 
sion, 
or  illi 


The  I 
shall 
TINL 
whic 

Map 
diffe 
entir 
begii 
right 
requ 
met! 


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10X 

14X 

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££.X 

26X 



^^^^- 

^^■■^ 

30X 

^,^_ 

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l_J 

'~^ 

19V 

^"^ 

16X 

20X 

24X 

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32X 

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1  2  3 


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empreinte. 

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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrant  la  mithode. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

3 

6 

32X 


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;m^  HUTA     MA]RSli>Tfi''^. 


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GRACE  DISPLAYED: 


AN 


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IJVTfiBESTTJVG  J^dEBATIVE 


,;»    > 


OF    THE 

LIT^,  C0NVERSK)N/ 
CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE,  MINISTRY, 

AND  ? 

.        MISSIOIIAIIY  LABOU^^ 

■  ...      OF    ,,;■  • 

JOSHUA  MABSBEN. 

>♦< -#   ' 

-     Is  not  thU  a  brand  plucked  from  tbe  burnins  ' 

KECOND  EDITION,  WITH  ADDITIONS, 

*  NEW'YOBK; 


^ 


1»UBLISH£D  BY  THOMAS  BAKEWELL,  198  Bl||||AII1KISF« 

Paul  if  Thvmat,  Printers. 


.V-'i  .K 


■.-»»•  *,•* 


U 


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ANNEX 


t 


^ 


^^- 


«E    T  REMEMBERED,  th«t  oa  the  Eighth  J«,y  oj  A"gu»^.  « the^T^r- 

B^ty-ninth  year  of  t.^  '^^^^^^  ^,  ^^JiKln'thU  office  the  tltl. 

^£\°Ckf^!^'rih^Xreof  "e'cltS"  PropriUor.  in  tbenords  following, 

'  rLcK  D.SP.....:  ^«i;Era^r5;iLu:;L%^^^^^ 

:^:!^^T:^^^!^  J^XJ^-^^the  bummgl   second 
«i  Edition,  i*fith  AddiUouS.'' 

,„  e»n<.n„i.y  «•  tb.  .ci  of  .{.  Conj^ju  of  f' ™*'  frrf^'^M^' 
Act  for  the  encouragement  of  |f""'"f'"Vor«  of  such,  copies  during  Uie 


B»nt«ry  to  an  A«-t,  enl  tied  au  act  lor    Books  to  the  authors  and  proprietora 


i^  of  Maps,  Charts,  "."d  B^°f«^_V"3"„re;tend^^^^ 


prl«t% 


T HERON  RUDD, 
Clerk  of  ^e  Southern  Diswict  of  New- York., 


fclAV     1 


4    1958 


PREFACE. 


^ 


ist,  iaUe  Thir- 
tes  of  Ameriea, 
is  oiAce  the  till* 
irords  following, 


^,  Conversion, 
tun  of  Joshua 
irningl   Second 

IS,  entitled  "  an 
copies  o  Maps, 
>])ie|i  during  tiie 
'  an  Act.  8uppl«- 
of  Tiearning,  by 
3  and  proprietors 
[jding  the  lienefita 
«rical  and  other 

>N  ftUPD. 
if  New- York., 


Having  some  time  ago  sent  a  little  work  to  press, 
consisting  of  scraps  of  Poetry,  the  gleanings  of  a  few  lei- 
sure  hours,  I  thought  as  I  was  perfectly  unknown  in  the 
United  States,  save  to  a  few  individuals,  with  whom  I 
became  acquainted  twelve  years  ago,  that  I  would  insen 
a  little  nottee  of  my  past  pilgrimage ;  but  as  I  could  ex- 
tend  my  remarks  no  further  than  a  mere  outline,  it  rather 
excited  than  repressed  the  curiosity  of  my  friends,  seve- 
ral  of  whom  have  been  particularly  pressing  that  1  would 
^ratify  them  with  a  more  minute  and  comprehensive  Me- 
moir     I  had  intended  deferring  this  till  I  should  hhve 
rained  both  more  time  and  larger  experience,  together 
with  the  banishment  of  all  future  wanderings  from  my 
mind ;  but  the  solicitations  of  a  few  friends,  and  the  en- 
couragement  of  a  subscription  of  tnore  than  seven  hun- 
dred persons,  have  determined  my  mind  to  give  to  mj^, 
friends  the  gratification  they  desire.     I  must  beg  pardon 
of  the  wellinformed  reader  for  the  hasty  and  incorrect 
manner  in  which  this  little  work  has  been  put  togethff. 
Not  indeed  that  I  wanted  materials,  but  the  tim^d^^ 
judgment  to  compare,  arrange,  amplify,  or  abrit^e,«i 
wight  appear  prudent.     All  1  can  say,  the  narrati^  Is 


IV 


PREFACE. 


the  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth.     I  nm  not  without 
hope  but  those  who  are  not  my  enemies,  may  read  this 
■work  with  pleasure  and  profit.     It  might  have  been  bet- 
ter had  my  ability  been  betltf ;  but  as  is  the  man,  so  is  hi« 
work.     Some  may  think  that  I  have  been  too  lavish  ol 
poetry ;  possibly  this  is  the  case— but  it  may  be  eome 
atonement  that  it  is  original,  extracted  from  a  raanu- 
gcript  poem,  which  I  intend  to  publi-^h  whenever  it  is  in 
my  power.     My  path  h.as  been  somewhat  chequered.     ! 
have  passed  through  a  variety  of  events,  both  by  sea 
and  land ;  and  for  these  last  eighteen  years,  have  bfcen 
continualSy  changing  my  place,  and  I  hope,  in  some 
good  degree,  fixing  my  mind. 

I  have  to  regret,  since  I  began  to  write  the  following 
little  narrative,  that  1  did  not  keep  a  regular  journal,  as 
many  anecdotes,  and  incidents  worthy  of  recital,  might 
thereby  have  been  snatched  from  oblivion.     I  am  not 
certain  but  some  may  accuse  me  of  vanity,  for  telling 
my  own  tale;  but  to  this  charge  I  plead  not  guilty,  from 
my  very  soul.     Some  of  my  brethren  in  the  ministry 
may  think  I  have  been  severe  and  pointed  in  some  of  my 
remarks^  but  I  will  assure  them,  the  observations  strike 
at  myself  as  much  as  at  any  other.    Perhaps  the  critic  on 
public  schools,  and  on  ships  of  war,  is  not  enough  modi- 
fied.   I  may  also  have  spoken  my  mind  too  freely  upon 
,    a  number  of  things  and  persons,  but  this  has  always  been 
my  weakness ;  and  I  regret  that  it  has  often  exceeded 
the  bounds  of  prudence  and  charity,    if  1  have  offended 
any  one  by  any  thing  I  have  written,  I  humbly  ask  par- 
don.    If  any  get  benefit,  I  trust  they  will  give  God  the 
mke.    Writings  of  this  kind  have  greatly  promoted  the 
benefit  of  my  own  soul— hence  I  hope  lyiy  feeble  attempt 


f 


% 


»t  without 
read  this 
been  bet- 
in,  so  is  his 
)  lavish  ol' 
f  be  some 
\  a  raar.u- 
;^er  it  18  in 
|uered.  I 
th  by  sea 
have  been 
B,  in  some 

;  following 
journal,  as 
ital,  might 
I  am  not 
for  telling 
guilty,  from 
je  ministry 
fiome  of  my 
itions  strike 
he  critic  on 
tough  modi- 
Creely  upon 
ilways  been 
n  exceeded 
ive  offended 
bly  ask  par- 
ive  God  the 
iromoted  the 
M*  attempt 


«f 


PREFACE.  ▼ 

^il,  no  less  contribute  to  the  instruction  and  edification 

"'  WeZe  various  narratives  daily  issuing  from^the  pre«, 
nn^too  many  of  them,  alas,  of  little  moment  to  man- 
^Ld      SWUhe  ministers  of  Christ  -thhold  their  en- 
d  avours  to  promote  the  public  good  ?     As  an  individual 
TouTd  bear  my  testimony  in  favour  of  religion,  and 
bring  at  least  one  stone  to  the  building  of  Chns's  temple. 
My  experience  has  been  singular,  and  I  ought  to  meBtion 
L'lovlng-kindnessoftheLord.    «-» J^  ^^^J.^^^ 
gracious  to  me,  both  by  sea  and  by  land.     He  b«^^ 
L  from  shipwreck-redeemed  me  from  afflictiol^re. 
Te  ved  me  in  danger-and  delivered  me  from  enemies. 
And  shall  I  not  praise  him  ?  In  sixteen  years'  ^-Ve^^^J^^  ^ 
his  goodness,  I  have  never  had  cause  to  charge  God  with 
dealing  eitherunjustly,unwisely,orungraciously  with  me. 

In  every  place  I  have  met  more  friends  than  1  was  enti- 
tied  to,  and  have  enjoyed  more  mercies  than  I  had  rea- 
son to  expect  or  gratitude  to  improve.     During  my  spi- 
ritual pilgrimage  1  have  been  in  dangerous  situations 
by  sea  and  land,  but  always  found  the  promises  a  sou  v^ 
of  consolation,  an  antidote  to  fear,  a  sheet-anchor  of  con 
fident  hope.     My  soul,  acknowledge  thou  the  Lord  in  all 
thy  way9>  and  from  past  interpositions  fetch  the  raateri- 
al3  to  furnish  thy  future  confidence !    There  is  a  God 
that  ruleth  the  world ;  the  shields  of  the  earth  belong  un- 
to  God,  and  his  promises  are  the  stafif  of  Wb  people's 
hope.     I  have  ridden  hundreds  of  miles  upon  the  ice; 
have  been  lost  in  snowstorms;  have  been  beli^ted, 
and  lost  in  the  woods;  thrown  from  horses;  »»ve  bcett 
benumbed  with  cold,  and  sun-struck  with  burning  heat; 
in  perils  on  the  sea;   in  perils  in  the  wiWcraefS?  t« 

A  2 


FT^ 


i 


.  PREFACE. 

perils  on  the  ice ;  but  I  call  heaven  and  earth  to  witness, 
I  never  found  one  promise  fail.  Trust  in  the  Lord,  ye 
his  saints!  and  to  your  everlasting  consolation  be  it  said, 
that  they  who  trust  in  the  Lord  shall  never  be  con- 
founded. , 

I  have  no  purpose  to  serve  in  writing  the  following 
narrative  but  the  cause  of  truth.  Though  1  have  cho- 
sen my  own  creed,  1  am,  thank  God,  no  bigot.  The 
triumph  of  religion,  and  not  merely  the  success  of  a  par- 
ty, is  the  ardent  desire  of  my  soul. 

And  from  my  soul  I  hate  a  bigot's  creed. 

Who  for  a  partial  piety  will  plead ; 

Then  deaf  to  candour,  as  to  charity, 

Exclaims,  "  The  temple  of  the  Lord  are  we." 
,  Confines  religion  to  one  sect  alone : 

Thus  Rome  asserts  the  privilege  alone. 

As  zealous  these  the  doubtful  right  dispute, 

And  judicate  the  tree  bad  by  the  fruit: 

Then  say,  the  piety  that  cheers  the  saints, 

Must  flourish  best  among  the  Protestants. 

You  say  in  England,  go  beyond  the  Tweed, 

And  rigid  Scotia  disallows  your  creed  j 

Claim:>  the  exclusive  right  of  Orthodox, 

The  boast  of  Calvin,  and  the  pride  of  Knox. 
Thus  each  asserts  the  gifts  of  heaven  belong 
To  his  own  class,  and  all  besides  are  wrong  j 
Mence  pride  displays  his  banner  wide  unfurl'd, 
And  fierce  contentions  shake  the  christian  world  j 
Hence  the  black  streams  of  party  spirit  glide  j 
Hence  all  the  bars  that  saints  from  saints  divide; 
Zealots  with  holy  rage  each  other  tear; 
Love  weeps,  and  piety  abhors  the  war. 

If  there  be  any  thing  that  savours  of  bigotry  in  the  fol- 
lowing pages,  let  all  men  know  by  these  presents,  that 


'''% 

t 


?:  say. 


PREFACE. 


Til 


>  witncsg, 
Lord,  ye 
)eit  eaid, 
■  be  coa- 

foUowing 
have  cho- 
;ot.  The 
3  of  a  par- 


Id  5 


e; 


y  in  the  fol- 
esents,  that 


I  renounce  and  disclaim  it;  though  1  hope  I  am  equally 
far  from  Ihe  latitudinarian  disposition,  of  BuppoBing  that 
all  are  right.  The  trite  cant  of  this  kind  of  men  I  abhor 
from  my  sou!— "  We  are  all  walking  in  the  same  path— It 
M  all  the  same  thinfr—l  hope  we  shaU  all  get  to  Heaven  at 
last:*  This  is  the  loose  and  slovenly  opinion  of  mea 
who  have  no  religion  at  all,  and  of  half-way  Dewta,  witk 
Pope  at  their  head,  who  has  written, 

For  modes  of  faith  let  graceless  yoalotn  figrht. 
His  can't  be  wrong  whose  life  is  in  the  right. 

This  I  deny :  his  creed  may  be  wrong,  and  yet  he 
may  be  a  moral,  regular  raaiL  I  do  not  put  religious 
opinions  in  the  room  of  religion,  however  good  they  may 
be;  they  can  never  supply  the  place  of  faith  woiking 
by  love ;  of  regeneration,  producing  humility,  heavenly- 
mindedness,  and  so  on— but  as  they  influence  our  prac- 
Itice  they  are  important.  I  am,  by  the  by,  no  creed  ma- 
ker. The  word  of  God  is  my  creed— of  that  1  would 
say, 

-  Believe,  and  show  the  reason  of  a  man; 

i  Believe,  and  taste  the  pleasures  of  a  God; 

*      Believe,  and  look  with  triuy ;  >    on  the  tomb.  YouMG. 

I  hope  my  little  work  will  be  useful  to  young  people, 
to  junior  preachers  among  the  Methodists,  and  to  Mis- 
sionaries. Perhaps  it  may  fall  into  the  hands  of  some 
wicked  young  men,  or  thoughtless  young  mai^ns,  to 
whom  I  earnestly  pray,  God  may  make  it  a  |kte8silig* 
To  these  I  would  say,  that  the  author  was  once  atpiad, 
wild,  wicked,  and  thoughtless  as  the  worst,  but  thegrace 
of  God,  that  bringeth  salvation,  turned  his  feet  into  the 
way  of  peace.    Perhaps  some  dashing  sailor  may  come 


'/ 


m 


▼iii 


PREFACE. 


tcro^B  the  following  pages;  to  Buch  I  would  .ay,  he  that 

BOW  writes  this  narrative,  was  once  a  hairbraineil  sailor, 

thoughtless  of  eternity,  reeling  on  the  mast,  and  rocking 

on  the  yard;  levity  and  mischief  his  delight ;  a  song,  a 

joke,  and  a  frolic,  his  pleasures ;  and  blindness  to  the  lu- 

ture  his  only  refuge;  but  the  rich,  free,  exuberant  grace 

of  God,  changed  the  rebel  into  a  christian,  and  the  ma- 

riner  into  a  minister.     Praying  for  the  blessing  ot  God 

upon  this  little  memoir,  1  cast  it  upon  the  world,  and 

upon  the  providence  of  that  God, 

Whose  frown  can  disappoint  the  proudest  theme, 
Whose  approbation  prosper  even  mine. 


l. 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 

* 


Nbw-York,  Oct.  «, 
1614. 


-'ft. 


/       '-t^SWrr-p. 


MEMOIRS,  ^c. 


m      m 


PREUMINARY  REMARKS. 


In  the  following  Narrative  I  ahall  endcftTour  to  con- 
form as  closely  as  possible  to  simple  truth.     I  ho{»e 
whatever  is  said  of  myself,  will  proceed  more  from  hu- 
mility and  ingenuousness,  than  vanity  or  duplicity.     I 
wish  to  write  this  Memoir  as  much  for  my  own  improve- 
ment as  the  benefit  of  others ;  and  hence  I  shall  endea- 
.vour  lo  write  in  the   fear  of  God.     Biography,  wheu 
[faithfully  executed,  is  a  mirror  of  human  life;  but  a« 
jmirrors,  according  to  their  qualify,  may  give  a  triie  or 
[false  represei.  ition,  so  may  a  writer  give  a  correct  or 
I  exaggerated  colouring  to  his  own  or  another's  actioni. 
The  word  of  God  is  perhaps  the  best  model  of  biography 
in  the  world.     In  that  blessed  book  all  is  truth,  nature, 
and  simplicity ;  no  gloss  is  used  to  guild  improper  con- 
duct; no  fairy  fiction  is  created  to  dazzle  the   fancy; 
no  masks  are  worn  to  mislead  the  judgment  of  the  read- 
er;  improper  conduct  is  not  extenuated  ;  nothing  is  said 
to  serve  a  purpose,  or  support  a  party  ;  but  the  lights  and 
shades  of  each  character  are  mentioned  with  an  impar- 
tiality worthy  of  the  Scriptures,  and  highly  honourable 
to  the  sacred  writers.     There  we  behold  the  hastiness  of 
Moses,  the  sinful  pliability  of  Aaron,  the  seeming  impa- 
tience of  Job,  Eli*8  want  of  firmnega,  the  glaring  defec- 
tion of  David,  Jonah's  timidity,  and  the  dupli€%  of 
Jacob,  all  impartially  delineated. 


t1 


10 


ItfEMOIRS  OF 


The  game  vein  of  iaipartial  justice  runs  also  through  the 
New  Testament :  the  apostacy  of  Peter,  ambition  ot 
James  and  John,  warmth  of  Barnabas,  incredulity  of 
Thomas,  defection  of  John  Mark  from  the  work,  toge- 
ther  with  the  worldly-mindedness  of  Demas,  all  sjan^  " 
beacons  upon  a  rock  to  warn  us  against  error,  infidelity, 
and  ingratitude.  Wishing  to  appear  what  we  are  not,  or 
not  to  appear  what  we  are,  may  mislead  man ;  but  God 
has  his  eye  upon  the  heart,  and  requires  truth  m  the  la- 

"^"mpressed  with  the  importance  of  this,  I  will,  as  far  as 
is  prudent,  take  the  veil  from  many  things  that  might  be 
hid,  and  disclose  some  weaknesses  that  vanity  would  never 
relate.  I  am  sensible  that  in  reciting  the  history  of  my  past 
life,  many  pages  will  be  blotted  and  others  blank  :  1  may 
be  scorned  bj  the  self-sufficient,  pitied  by  the  proud  and 
ignorant,  and  stared  at  by  the  immaculate.      These  may 
gaze  upon  the  spotted  monster,  and  wonder  at  his  perver- 
»ity  ;  but  the  man  acquainted  with  the  human  heart,  will 
Sad  the  image  in  his  own  breast  symbolize  with   the 
writer,  and  acknowledge,  that  "as  face  answers  to  face 
in  a  glass,"  so  does  one  poor  unrenewed  sinner  resemble 

another. 

The  following  Narrative  will  not  only  contain  a  dis- 
play of  the  goodness  of  God,  but  a  picture  of  my  own 
weakness,  blindness,  sinfulness,  trials,  conflicts,  slips, 
blunders,  mistakes,  ingratitude,  hardness  of  heart,  and 
deep  and  manifold  unfaithfulness ;  that  man  may  be 
humbled,  God  honoured,  truth  magnified,  Christ  exalted, 
the  weak  comforted,  grace  displayed,  and  nature  shown 
in  its  own  true  and  genuine  colours. 

Perhaps  one  reason  why  Christian  Biography  is  not 
as  useful  as  might  be  wished,  may  be  found  in  the  cir- 
cumstance  of  giving  only  the  fair  side  of  a  life.  We 
read  of  a  christian  minister  who  was  eminent  in  his  day ; 
we  are  told  how  and  when  he  was  enlightened;  in  what 

'^-'^  xi'tnifkA  hia 


mmuuvf    uivauo 


GOOSvlatlOu   allu 


jeSHUA  MARSDEN. 


n 


through  the 
ambition  of 
credulity  of 
work,  toge- 
,  all  stand  as 
)r,  infidelity, 
ve  are  not,  or 
an ;  but  God 
th  in  the  in- 

will,  as  far  as 
that  might  be 
f  would  never 
>ry  of  my  past 
blank :  1  may 
the  proud  and 
These  may 
at  his  perver- 
lan  heart,  will 
>lize  with   the 
Qswers  to  face  ^ 
inner  resemble 

contain  a  die- 
re  of  my  own 
sonfiicts,  slips, 
of  heart,  and 
t  man  may  be 
Christ  exalted, 
4  nature  shown 


ography  is  not 
ucd  in  the  cir- 
of  a  life.  We 
lent  in  his  day  ; 
ttened;  in  what 
Ar>f  viftitAd  hia 


soul;   something  is  said  about  his  subsequentlabours, 
and  finally,  we  are  called  to  read  of  his  hanpy  death  and 
triumphant  admission   into  celestial  blessedness.     All 
this  is  very  good,  and  may  sometimes  be  profitable ;  but 
a  picture  of  this  kind  has  hardly  as  much  interest  in  it 
as  the  hero  of  a  romance.     There  we  are  called  to  view 
battles,  dangers,  enchanted  castles,  giants,  robbers,  dis- 
mal woods,  perils,  escapes,  and,  finally,  success  in  attain- 
ing the  object.     What  Betterton  the  actor  told  an  emi- 
'  nent  Bishop,  who  asked,  "  Why  '^es  a  tragedy  afifect  us 
more  than  a  sermon?"  may  be  applied  here.     The  witty 
jj  man  replied, "  We  represent  fiction  as  if  it  were  truth, 
and  you  represent  truth  as  though  it  were  fiction."     Did 
the  warriors  of  the  Cross  of  old  time  pass  through  much 
tribulation  ?     Did  they  fight,  run,  wrestle,  watch,  pray, 
strive,  contend,  resist  unto  blood,  and  finally  turn  the 
S  battle  to  the  gate  of  glory,  by  adding  to  their  feith 
-»  courage,  and  maintaining  the  noble  warfare  even  unto 
death  ?     Surely  we  cannot  suppose  the  constitution  of 
things  so  widely  altered,  as  that  a  christian,  much  less 
f a  christian  minister,  \^ 


Can,  soft  as  summer  gales  to  glory  rise, 
And  from  a  sofa  step  into  the  skies. 

What  is  the  charm  that  makes  that  good  old  book, 
Bunyan's  Pilgrim,  please  all  christians  ?  One  principal 
reason,  no  doubt,  is  the  high  interest  excited  by  the  tri- 
als, dangers,  and  conflicts  of  Christian  before  he  entered 
the  celestial  city.  Let  us,  therefore,  cease  to  paint  the 
Chritian  or  faithful  minister's  life  as  an  uniform  tenor  of 
quietness,  peace,  and  ease ;  while  his  conflicts  with  the 
«nemy,  struggles  with  corrupt  nature,  keen  trials  s  from 
the  contradiction  of  sinners,  manifold  wanderings,*  -con- 


"1. 


•  It  is  not  here  supposed  the  Christian  is  under  a  moral  nece^ty 
to  wandeft^yet  from  the  weakness  of  human  nature,  and  the  po1i|R' 
of  surrounding  temptations,  ix  is  often  mournfully  the  case. 


\ 


12 


MEMOIRS  or 


u 


^nd  inquietude,  are  car«fany  kept  out  of  «gMU  the  Ight 
of  a  picture  more  plearfng  and  teautilul    ban  a  Bk.l- 
ful  and  impartial  exhibition  of  both  light  and  shade  ?    A 
rue  narrative  of  the  trial.,  conflicts,  and  T"""""'  "^ « 
Chrtetian,  brings  a  richer  revenue  ot  praise  to  d.v.ne 
gra^:  sheds  a  more  amiable  lustre  "P"" '^e  power  ot.«. 
religion,  and  heightens  the  glory  ol  his  final  deliver- 
Tnce  m«e,  than  could  be  admitted  upon  the  plan  of  . 
Dlacid,  tranquil,  and  easy   progression  in  the   ways  of 
tJ^Givelthen,insteadofthedul.narra..vem^^^^^^^^^^ 

«d  above.  Rive  me  the  genuine  exercises  of  the  faithlul  soul, 
^e  topsUingsof  the,«nitent;  let  me  hear  the  gro»u» 

tltarmenrs  of  ttie  warrior  rolled  in  blood,  the  rocks  ol 
«bdS  nature  rending,  the  grave,  of  corruption  opea^ 
LgTnd  the  dead  in  sin  springing  forth  to  spiritual  and 
mvine  life.     We  feel  stronger  emotions  in  beholding  a 
stormy  than  a  placid  ocean:  and  the  lofty  mountain 
seep  precipice,  and  overhanging  cliff,  fill  our  hearts  will. 
more  sensible  and  impressive  ideas,  than  the  flowerj 
Xadow    ovely  landscape,  and  smooth  and  level  lawn 
We  hea  with  eagerness  the  narrative  of  a  saiior  escape, 
fto™  a  terrible  storm,  while   the  pleasing  voyage  an 
««lm  heavens  fail  to  awaken  curiosity  or  command  eat- 
«l"es.Thence  I  recommend  to  my  brethren,  whc, 
writL  narratives  of  their  own  exper-^nce,  to  give  » 
In  undisguised  picture  of  the  whole.     The  apostle  Pa„ 
in  the  seventh  chapter  ot  the  Romans,  enters  faithfullj 
and  minute"y  into  all  the  exercises  of  a  penitent  sou 
The™  we  behold  an  illustrious  warfare  betwixt  flesh  an 
^.irir,  there  we  behold  the  irritation,  of  the  law  an 
aCg  energies  of  divine  grace  drawing  the  soul  forward 
to  victory  and  peace ;  to  happiness  and  salvation.  I 


JOSHUA  MARSDEX 


.13 


shame,  grief, 
.   Is  the  light 
than  a  skil- 
d  shade  ?    A 
ixercises  of  a 
se  to  divine 
power  of  true 
final   deliver-  ^ 
the  plan  of  a 
the   ways  of 
ative  inention- 
le  faithful  soul, 
lear  the  groaus 
let  me  behold 
id,  the  rocks  ot 
eruption  open- 
0  spiritual  and 
in  beholding* 
ofty  mountain* 
our  hearts  with 
m  the  flowery 
nd  level  lawn, 
a  sailor  escaped 
ing  voyage  an'i 
r  command  ear 
brethren,   when 
nee,  to  give  us 
he  apostle  Paul, 
enters  faithfully 
a  penitent  soul. 
)etwixt  flesh  and 
;  of  the  law  and 
the  soul  forward 
salvation. 


CHAPTER  I. 

* 

I  WAS  born  near  Liverpool,  in  the  kingdom  of  6reat 
Britain,  the  2l8t  of  December,  1777.  My  father  was 
the  oldest  branch  of  a  respectable  family,  descended,  as 
far  as  1  have  been  able  to  learn,  from  a  family  that  gavte 
name  to  the  town  of  Marsden,  in  Yorkshire.  Some  of 
my  connexions,  1  have  reason  to  believe,  were  among 
theNon-Conformist  ministers,  who  were  Reeled  from  their 
livings  in  the  time  of  Charles  II.  Seethe  421  si  and 
436th  pages  of  the  third  vol.  of  Palmer's  NonComforni- 
ists's  Memorial. 

My  father  was  well  educated,  and,  from  what  I  hare 
heard,  intended  for  one  of  the  learned  professions;  but 
being  of  a  wild  and  volatile  turn,  he  left  home,  enlisted 
into  a  regiment  of  horse,  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner 
at  Cherbourg,  in  France;  but,  on  his  return  to  England, 
obtaine<l  his  liberty,  and  resided  with  his  parents  at  Stan- 
dish,  near  Wigan,in  Lancaster. 

{  My  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Murray,  was  6f 
Scottish  descent,  and  was  born  at  Dalkeith,  near  Edin- 
burgh. At  the  time  of  my  birth,  my  parents  were  in  in- 
digent circumstances :  it  is  true,  my  father  had  inherited 
a  handsome  patrimony  on  the  death  of  my  grandfather ; 
but  having  little  economy,  and  not  being  brought  up  to 
a  trade,  he  had  run  through  nearly  the  whole,  and  was 
fast  verging  towards  (poverty,  and  its  attendant,  obscuri- 
ty. But  God  forbid  that  I  should  be  ashamed  of  the  cir- 
cumstances of  my  birth,  or  think  my  soul  less  valuable 
because  my  parents  were  not  rich,  nor  my  inheritance 
splendid. 

Where's  thy  true  treasure?  gold  says,  "  not  in  mc." 
And  "  not  in  me,"  the  d','  nond .    Gold  is  p  oor  j 
Indp*s  insolvent :  seek 'tin  thyself, 
Seek  in  thy  naked  self,  and  find  it  tibicre: 

T» 


J  ."  MEMOIRS  OF 

In  being  «o  descended,  form'd,  endow'd  1 
Sky-born,  .ky-guided,  .ky-returning  race. 
Erect,  inunortiil,  raUonal,  diyine !  YoiiN*. 

Honour  and  .hame  .rise  from  no  conditions  in  life. 
He  that  lives  to  God  is  worthy  of  honour,  and  he  that 
live,  in  Tice  and  folly,  though  he  fare  sumptuously,  dre« 
in  purple  and  fine  linen,  and  roll  about  in  a  splendid  cha- 
riot,  deserves  only  disgrace  and  infamy.  _ 

Neither  my  father  nor  mother  were  truly  rehpous 
the  former  had  a  nominal  attachment  to  the  church  o 
England,  and  the  latter  only  some  few  relics  of  eariy 
Presby  ttrian  regularity.  She  had  been  religiously  brought 
no  butDMsingUiroughavariety  of  different  scenes,  shehad 

^^a^T.  losTthe  seriousness  of  her  youth,  and  almost  wo,» 

aw"ytho  impressions  of  her  infancy,  she  was  neve  he- 

to,  a  friend  to  religion,  and  paid  at  least  a  partial  at  eo- 

(Hn  to"h.  morals  of  her  children.    We  were  taught^to 

S^y  r«rtrained  from  speaking  wicked  words,  corrected 

if  we  Md  a  falsehood,  were  furnished  with  seme  general 

tuonfof  divine  things,  heard  my  father  read  m  the 

TcriDture  on  the  sabbath-day,  and  were  obliged  to  attend 

theKoftheChurchofEngland.    But  alas!  how  can 

^eSI  hope  to  bring  up  their  children  «igh  "ho  have  | 

no  religion  themselves;  can  it  once  be  hop.J  hat  pray  4 

be  no  prayer  in  a  family,  can  we  expect  the  "h  'dren  rt 
be  devout?    Ifweviolate  the  Lord's  day, willourch.ld-| 
„„  observe  and  keep  it  holy  ?  Will  parents  who  neglect 
toreJthe  word  of  Go.1. inspire  their  children  with  ven.. 
ration  for  that  sacred  book?    If  a  parent  be  ignorant,, 
can  he  hope  to  illuminate  his  children?    If  not  possm^ 
ed  of  the  vital  excellence  of  piety,  can  he  >mpar  it  t 
Ms  children  ?    Can  be  give  that  of  which  he  is  himsel 
Ltitute  ?     In  a  word,  can  parents  who  are  careless  about 
^    own  salvation ,  who  live  without  Ood  in  the  wor  d  | 
X,  if  not  outwanlly  immoral,  are  at  least  devoid  of  th.^ 
™,e  and  holy  spirit  of  the  gospel :  I  say,  car.uch  p.| 


# 


JOSmUA  MARSDEN. 


15 


OVNS. 

[ions  in  life, 
and  he  that 
ituously,  dress 
I  splendid  cba- 

uly  relig^ious; 
the  church  of 
relics  of  early 
giously  brought 
scenes,  she  had 
id  almost  worn 
!  was  neverthe* 
a  partial  atten- 
were  taught  to  ^ 
?ords,  corrected 
tb  Bome,  general 
ler  read  in  the 
.bliged  to  attend 
it  alas!  how  can 
iright  who  have 
lioped  that  pray- 
a?  and  if  there 
the  children  will 
ly,  will  our  child- 
3nt8  who  neglect 
lUlren  with  vene- 
rent  be  ignorant, 
?    If  not  possess- 
I  he  impart  it  to 
lich  he  is  himsell 
are  careless  about 
Sod  in  the  world; 
east  devoid  of  the  j 
Jay,  cuflFttich  pa 


1      -f  ih^\r  children,  formed  on  these  model*, 
rents  wonder  If  tl^eircWd^  ^^^   ^^^.^.^^^ 

should  be  ;^;!«^«j^;«  *7^^ »'{;,  ,„  I'ook  forexamplei  the 
in  their  public  influence^     W^^^  i„  his  master;  the  sol- 

dieriniiiBs  Redeemer  set  his    Uis- 

"°t^'Thita"««e'»  .Hdihey  leave  for  their 
wtwLTo  tpy?    I  would  ask,  what  minUter.  are 
mor»«ro^?      What  magUtrates  are  most  revered 
Whit  rrent.  are  most  beloved  ?    Surely  those  who  set 
rbcsTe  "ample ,  who  lay  down  holy  rules,  and  g.ve  . 

"CersJt^Torinl^o^Uyeon.^^^^^^^^ 

♦:^;yi:iredr.la?i:;;^=^^^^^ 

Tv  d^iulme^;  Letimes  I  thought  the  world  was  on 
day  Of  J"d«  J"  '  ,  „  ,„  be  consumed  with  the  wicked 
aid  The  SlyT  othl"  «mes  I  was  terrified  with  hor- 
rid  wSsionV  that  devils  were  ear-ring  n,e  away. 
Thus  d  d  God  seal  instruction  upon  my  tender  m.nd,  to 
keen  back  my  «.ul  from  the  pit.  Surely  I  could  say, 
"  ttou's^aresl'^e  with  dreams  and  terrifiest  me  w.th  v.- 

"°I  was  frequently,  when  but  a  little  boy,  anxious  to 
know  when  the  end  of  the  world  would  take  place  ,•  and 
excrdgly  distressed  with  the  apprehension  of  being 
unprepared;  a  flash  of  lightning,  or  a  storm  of  thunder, 
S  mak^  me  weep  bitterly.    I  felt  a  continual  fear  of 
deX^nder  the  dismal  apprehension  that     should  go 
down  to  eternal  misery ,  nay,  so  strong  and  hvely  we  e 
the  images  of  wo  pictured  on  my  mind,  that  I  was  alraid 
I!f  d.ress,  and  often  lay  trembling  in  bed,  lest  the  day 
of  judgment  should  take  place  before  morning.    ThOTe 

chapter'*!"  the  gospel  relative  to  «"*  <l«»t™<^'»»  "^  ""^ 
rnsalem,  I  would  read  with  the  deepest  anxiety,  and  all 


mUm* 


♦  Matt.  xxiv.  Mark  xiU. 


•^ 


lb 


AiEMoms  or 


those,  to  me  solemn  and  mysterious  woes,  the  womeu 
grindirg  at  the  mill;  the  abomination  of  desolation ;  the 
flight  in  the  winter ;  the  two  men  in  one  bed,  and  the 
tbys  being  shortened,  I  combined  with  the  day  of  judg- 
ment ;  which  my  fear-struck  fancy  presaged  would  take 
place  during  ray  lifetime.  A  knowledge  of  the  evil  of 
«in  appears  to  have  been  coevil  with  my  understanding ; 
1  hardly  remember  h  period,  even  in  the  early  stages  of 
ebildhood,  when  sin  was  not  more  or  less  painful :  and 
bad  my  parents  been  pious  persons,  I  am  inclined  to  think 
that  a  work  of  divine  grace  would  have  led  my  tender 
mind  to  an  early  dedication  of  its  powers  to  God  j  but 
for  want  of  this  help,  my  impressions  frequently  vanish- 
ed away  as  the  morning  cloud  and  as  the  early  dew ;  my 
heart  was,  notwithstanding,  amazingly  tender  to  the  af- 
flictions of  the  family.  Any  difference  betwixt  my 
father  and  mother  pained  me  exceedingly ;  and  if  the  lat- 
ter was  afflicted  or  in  distress,  my  feelings  wer3  raised  to 
the  highest  pitch  of  solicitude  and  sorrow.  I  recollect 
on  one  occasion,  when  my  mother  was  taken  sick,  and 
expected  to  die,  that  I  fell  down  upon  my  knees  before 
the  family,  and  in  an  agony  of  prayer  implored  the  Lord 
to  spare  her  life.  At  this  time  I  could  not  have  been 
more  than  perhaps  about  ten  years  of  age. 

With  regard  to  my  education,  it  was  not  in  the  power 
of  parents,  situated  as  mine  were,  to  give  me  more  than 
a  common' school  tuition;  and  even  this  wat  almost  in 
vain:  not  so  much  from  the  inability  of  the  masters  un- 
der whom  I  was  placed,  as  the  fatal  necessity  of  being 
in  company  with  bad  boys  of  every  description. 

In  this  light,  a  public  school,  unless  under  good  regu- 
lations, has  frequently  become  a  public  pest.  The  ten- 
der-hearted boy,  by  the  ill  example  of  others,  grows  cal- 
lous ;  the  modest  and  diffident  become  bold  and  forward ; 
the  best  impressions  are  lost,  and  the  worst  practices, 
Bueh  as  ruileness,  mischief,  idleness,    lying,  gambling. 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


H 


,  the  womeu 
olation ;  the 
>ed,  and  the 
day  of  judg- 
l  would  take 
■  the  evil  of 
derstandiDg ; 
irly  stages  of 
pRinfuI:  and 
ned  to  thiak 
I  rny  tender 
o  God;  but 
!ntly  vanish- 
rly  dew ;  my 
ir  to  the  af- 
betwixt  my 
md  if  the  lat- 
er? raised  to 
I  recollect 
en  sick,  and 
knees  before 
red  the  Lord 
t  have  been 

in  the  power 
le  more  than 
TM  almost  in 
i  masters  un- 
ity of  being 
ion. 

er  good  regu- 
t.  The  ten- 
rs,  grows  cal- 
and  forward ; 
St  practices) 
ig,  gambling. 


uncorrupted  boy  often  learns  his  book  at  the  expense  of 
his  innocence;  and  pays  as  the  price  of  knowledge  all 
the  amiable  simplicity  he  possesses. 

Would  you  your  sou  should  be  a  sot  or  dunce, 

Lascivious,  headstrong,  or  all  these  at  once  ? 

Train  him  in  public  with  a  mob  of  boys. 

Childish  in  mischief  only  and  in  noise  • 

The  meek  and  bashful  boy  will  soon  be  taught 

To  be  as  bold  and  forward  as  he  ought. 

The  rude  will  scuffle  thro'  with  ease  enough, 

Great  schools  best  suit  the  tardy  and  the  rough; 

You  see  your  wish  fulfill'd  in  either  child, 

The  pert  made  perter,  and  the  tame  made  wild. 


COWPBR. 


Led  astray  by  the  example  of  wicked  Ifoys,  and  under 
the  influence  of  an  ardent,  passionate,  yet  pliable,  dis- 
position, I  was  prevented  from  profiling  by   the  means 
afforded  me.     I  could  form  no  idea  in  what  manner  these 
things  could  be  useful  to  me  in  future  life;  hence,  ex- 
icept  under  the  lash  of  the  schoolmaster,  1  paid  but  lUtle 
lattention  to  either  my  book,  my  pen,  or  my  slate.     The 
[latter  appeared  to  me  the  most  useless  of  all  useless  things, 
(and  I  often  absented  myself  from  school,  that  I  might 
^  plunge  into  the  stream,  rob  the  innocent  bird  of  her 
^  young,  or  stroll  about  in  the  fields  and  woods  with  other 
wicked  and  truant  boys. 

Yet  I  had  a  living  monitor,  (perhaps  the  light  that 
lighteneth  every  man  coming  into  the  world,)  that  bore 
testimony  against  my  conduct,  and  sometimes  made  me 
indescribably  wretched;  especially  when  the  fear  of 
outwartl  correction  was  joined  to  the  voice  of  inward 
remorse.  The  dread  of  death  prevented  me  from 
running  into  many  sins  of  a  heinous  nature;  my  heart 
was  often  tender  and  alive  to  reflection.  Sometimes  I 
woul  I  weep  ever  my  own  wickedness,  and  have  often 
shuddered  at  the  daring  presumption  of  other  boys.  I  do 
not  mean  by  this  ^to  insinuate,  that  my  nature  WM  a 
„.!.:«  u^ii^m  «K.n  4k1;»     Nn ;  1  nm  confident  that  1  was 

B2 


n 


MEMOIRS  OF 


a  polluted  creature ;  that  my  heart  had  in  U  the  geeda  ol 
univereal  iin.    I  am  afraid  the  terms  good  nature  and 
good-natured  child,  are  wdjy  raisjapplied.     I  Unow  ot  no 
nature,  save  the  works  of  nature,  but  what  bears  evident 
BigDB  of  moral  defilement,  misery,  and  death ;  not  that  1 
suppose  children  are  in  the  same  state  they  would  have 
been  in,  had  Christ  not  died.     They  would  theo  have 
been  born  under  an  unrepealed  curse;  but  his  death  has 
brought  the  free  gift  upon  all  to  justlfieation  of  life.     He 
has  borne  our  eupse,  and  none  now  are  actually  con- 
demned and  under  the  wrath  of  God,   but   those   who 
knowinglv  sin,  obstinately  disbelieve,  and  wickedly  re- 
ject  the  counsel  of  God  against  their  own  souls. 

To  this  it  may  be  replied,  Does  not  the  apostle,  Eph. 
ii  3.  speak  even  of  believers  being  by  nature  the  chiN 
dren  of  wrath  even  as  others.     The  Greek  words  »«* 
,^e»  TiK»*  <pvcii,  «5  ««<  •*  A-'Toi,  are  rendered  by  Mac 
Knight,  rm^  naturally  liable  ta  puniskment,  even  as  the 
rest  oftnankind.    Not  but  children,  as  fellen  creatures, 
are  naturally  liable  to  sin,  nay,  even  prone  to  evil  as  the 
sparks  that  fly  upward.     So  far  from  being  like  a  clean 
sheet  of  paper,  that  may  receive  any  impression,  we  are 
born   in  sin  and  shapen  in  iniquity ;  we  are  polluted 
branches  of  a  polluted  fountain :  but  that  we  are  born  un- 
der a  curse  I  deny,  and  prove  it  who  can.    I* would  ra- 
ther   with  the  great  and  holy  Fletcher,  say,  that  chil- 
dren are  born  in  a  state  of  justification,  through  the  infi- 
nite  merits  of  the  atoning  blood  of  Christ;  and  that  they 
do  not  come  into  condemnation,  till  they  themselves  ac- 
tually sin.     How,  otherwise,  could  we  reconcile.  Suffer 
little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for 
of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God.    How  different  this  from 
the  language  of  a  new-light  preacher  I  knew  in  Nova 
Scotia,  who  used  to  call  his  children  serpents,  vipers, 
mtle  vessels  of  wrath,  &c.    Our  Lord  says,  this  is  the 
condemnation,  that  light  is  come  into  the  world,  jind  men 
1qt«  darkneii  r*ther  Ibini  iigiit*  he&iumc  tbs«  deeds  a?? 


JOSHUA  MAMDISN. 


ID 


[  the  seeds  of 
d  nature  and 
I  know  ol*  no 
bears  evident 
h ;  not  that  I 
y  would  have 
M  then  have 
hi*  death  has 
a  ol*  life.    He 
aetually  con- 
it   those   who 
wickedly  re* 
souTs. 

apostle,  Eph. 
iture  the  chil* 
eek  words  »<«» 
lered  by  Mac 
rf,  even  as  the 
Hen  creatures, 
e  to  evil  as  the 
ig  like  a  clean 
ression,  we  are 
e  are  polluted 
sve  are  born  un* 
1.    I 'would  ra- 
say,  that  chil- 
brough  the  inti' 
;  and  that  they 
themselves  ac* 
?concile,  Suffer 
d  them  not,  for 
Bferent  this  from 
knew  in  Nova 
erpents,  vipers, 
ays,  this  is  the 
world,  and  men 


'J. 


•1     Tint  what  evil  deeds  did  new-bom  infants  ever 

tT  Where  there  is  no  law,  there  is  no  transgrei. 

'•""''"the.rthere  is  no  transgression,  there  is  no  sin, 

3Lt;::iXnoeondem^ 

amwer  for  the  parents'  sins,  nor  yet  in  the  Mght  ol  a  just, 

hoIy,^nS  equitable  God,  be  condemned  for  that  it  never 

"T^T'ostle  Paul's  reasonings  on  this  bead  is  so  clear 
that  1  will  give  it  in  his  own  words.     But  not  as  the  of- 
ent' «:  is  the  free  gift :  for  if  through  tbe  offe-^^^^^^^^ 
(Adam)  many  (all)  be  dead,  that  is,  spmtualy  dead  m 
iin,  and  liable  to  etirnal  death,  (without  a  Saviour,)  much 
more  the  grace  of  God,  and  the  gift  by  grace,  which  is  by 
one  man,  Jesus  Christ,  hath  abounded  to  many,  (that  is, 
all)  clearing  little  children  from  the  curse,  and  actually 
pardoning  and  justifying  all  true  believers.     Therefore, 
as  by  the  offence  of  one,  judgment  came  upon  all  men  to 
condenmation,  even  so  by  the  righteousness  of  one,  (.the 
pure  and  holy^bedience  of  Christ  to  the  law,  and  volun- 
tary  submission  to  its  penalty,)-the  free  gift  came  upon  all 
men  to  justification  of   life.     For  as  by  one  man  s  dis- 
obedience  many  (that  is,  all)  were  made  sinners,  so  by  the 
obedience  of  one,  (Christ)  shall  many '^  (that  is,  all)   be 
made  righteous.     Infants  when  they  are  born,  and  guilty 
rebels  when  they  truly  believe.     But  to  return. 


•  Since  all  mankind  were  made  mortal  for  Adam's  sin,  the  apos- 
tie  by  5*  *o}9.ot,  tlie  many,  certainly  means  all  mankind.  Besides, 
Christ,  in  speaking  of  this  very  subject,  used  the  word  m  that  ex- 
tensive  sense.  Matt.  xxvi.  28.  This  is  my  blood  of  the  new  co- 
venant, which  is  shed  (TTUfi  7roW.«»)  for  many,  that  is,  for  the  collcc- 
tive  body  of  mankind :  and  as  the  many  who  died  are  all  manTfcmd, 
so  the  many  in  the  end  of  the  Terse,  to  whom  the  gift  by  grace  is 
said  to  have  abounded,  are  all  mankind.  Hence  we  are  t<dd,  1  Co- 
rinthians XV.  22.  «  As  by  Adw  all  died,  so  by  Christ  all  shall  Le 
made  alive."  See  also  the  following  verse  16,  where  many  offences 
signifies  all  offences.    Mac  Kmgy     '3jpw(«W,VQ|.  I.  page  are. 


20 


MEMOIRS  OF 


Going  to  school  was  a  great  drudgery  to  me.  I  neither 
loved  study  nor  confinement ;  reading)  it  i»  true,  was  nn 
exception.  I  delighted  to  read  voyages,  travels,  adven- 
tures, romances,  and  so  on;  and  frequently  all  the  little 
money  I  could  get  or  save,  was  laid  out  in  procuring 
books  of  this  kind.  Alas,  I  little  knew  the  value  of  the 
privileges  1  enjoyed!  Precious  seasons;  but,  alas,  ye  are 
gone  for  ever !  yea,  more  precious  than  ingots  of  gold ; 
though  in  my  wasteful  hands  they  became  mere  dross. 
Ah  I  had  I  then  known  their  worth,  I  would  have  imprint- 
ed the  marks  of  wisdom  on  their  wings;  but  they  are  fled; 
they  are  vanished  away ;  and  now  their  walking  spectres 
upbraid  me  with  shocking  inattention  and  wanton  neglect. 

Several  times  during  these  early  years,  did  the  Lord 
deliver  me  from  imminent  dangers.  Once  I  fell  from  a 
high  wall  on  the  stones  of  the  pavement,  and  fractured 
my  scull  in  a  terrible  manner;  but  my  life  was  preserved. 
On  another  occasion,  I  fell  through  the  ice  into  a  deep 
pit,  and  stuck  by  my  arm-pits  from  going  under  it.  Once 
plunging  into  a  river  to  bathe,  I  jumped  upon  the  bottom 
of  a  bottle  which  cut  me  severely  ;  and  had  it  been  the 
sole  of  my  foot,  1  might  have  bled  to  death  before  any 
help  could  have  been  got,  as  it  was  far  from  any  house. 
Going  with  some  wicked  boys  to  a  horse-race,  the  day 
being  hot,  some  of  my  companions  would  go  into  the 
water ;  1  could  not  then  swim,  and  the  canal  was  deep ; 
however  they  deceived  me  by  buoying  themselves  up  as 
though  they  touched  the  bottom.  1  boklly  ventured  in, 
sank  like  a  stone,  and  might  have  been  seen  no  more,  had 
they  not  got  hold  upon  me,  and  rescued  my  life  from  a 
watery  grave.  In  all  these  things  the  good'hand  of  Jeho- 
vah preserved  me  from  danger,  and  sjiared  my  life  as  a 
monument  of  his  patient  and  long  suffering  goodness. 

Thro*  hidden  dan^rs,  toils,  and  death, 

He  (gently  clear'd  my  way; 
And  thro'  the  pleasing  snares  of  vice. 

More  to  be  fear'd  than  they. 


.-^ 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


n 


e.  I  neither 
rue,  was  an 
vels,  adven- 
all  the  little 
in  procuring 
value  of  the 

alas,  ye  are 
ots  of  gold ; 
mere  dross, 
ave  imprint- 
hey  are  fled; 
ling  spectres 
atoo  neglect, 
lid  the  Lord 
I  fell  from  a 
md  fractured 
as  preserved. 

into  a  deep 
tder  it.  Once 
n  the  bottom 
I  it  been  the 
h  before  any 
n  any  house, 
ace,  the  day 

go  into  the 
al  was  deep ; 
nselves  up  as 
ventured  in, 
no  more,  had 
ly  life  from  a 
liand  of  Jeho- 
my  life  as  a 
goodness. 


Though  remarkably  giddy,  I  early  felt  that  I  had  a  de- 
praved nature,  which  neither  baptism,  going  to  church, 
learning  my  catechism,  saying  my  prayers,  or  being  con- 
t\rmed,  had  been  able  to  eradicate;  for  though  1  was  pre^ 
served  from   profane  language   and   vulgar  wickedness, 
(esteemed  by  some  infatuated  parents  as  marks  ot  wit  and 
,  shrewdness  in  their  children,)  yet  I  was  very  passionate 
I  and  irritable  ;  I  felt  a  strong  repugnance  to  render  impli- 
Itsit  obedience  to  my  parents,  and  in  my  heart  hated  all 
control.     I  often  felt  dissatisfied  that   my  parents  were 
not  rich,  and  wished  myself  a  man,  that  I  might  do  as  I 
pleased  :  yea,  my  young  heart  was  alternately  the  seat  of 
anger,  pride,  impatience,  resentment,  and  discontent.   Vo 

these  I  might  add—- bat  the  picture  is  black 

■enough  already.     Sometimes  1  would  fight  with  other 

Iboys  till  covered  with  blood ;  and  I  often,  instead  of  goin|f 

to  church,  spent  my   sabbaths  in  the  fields,   woods,  anU 

lanes,  inventing  a  number  of  falsehoods  to  deceive  my 

mother:  For  after  profaning  the  Lord's  day,  I  would  ha»f 

ten  with  all  possible  speed  that  I  might  be  at  the  church* 

door  before  the  service  concluded ;  that  by  nriUing  with 

the  throng  I  might  deceive  my  parents.     When  I  could 

^ot  accomplish  this,   I  have  gone  to  the  house  of  some 

#lriend,    and  by  a  masterinece  of  cunning,  pretending  I 

lad  forgot  the  chapter,  gained  ray  point;  and  having  now 

ot  the  text,  hastened  to  tell  a  second  lie,—"  Well,  my 

hild,  where  have  you  been  ?"  "  At  church  to  hear  Mr. 

JUazebrooU,**— "  1  did  not  see  you  there;  why  did  yon 

not  sit  in  the  pew  ?'*— "  1  sat  in  the  gallery  near  the    or- 

ran." — *'  You  can  tell  me  then  where  and  what  was  the 

^'extr  Thus  did  I  deceive  my  worthy  mother;  but  thou, 

\vny  God,  sawest  all  my  vileness  I  Alas,  1  was  a  polluted 

creature;  nature  was  a  corrupt  fountain;  I  followed  the 

■impulse  of  my  heart ;  but  that  heart  was  wicked :  1  was,  it 

jis  true,  under  some  restraint  of  conscience,  but  if  I  di4 

lOt  go  to  the  extreme  of  transgression,  it  was  more  ow^ 


l"^^ 


S2 


MF.MOIRS  OF 


ing  to  dread  of  punishment  than  either  hatred  of  nvil  or 
^''  love  to  the* ,  O  my  God  and  Saviour  t  as  the  only  rt  ison 
I  can  assign  for  not  h' mg  universally  wicked,  was  the 
restraint  ot  my  pareu  ^,  and  the  dread  of  everlasting   ^ 

punishment.  ,  .  i      ui 

About  this  time,  my  mother  (who,  though  tolerably 
itrict  respecting  her  children,)  was  deeply  awakened  to 
see  and  feel  that  she  was  living  destitute  of  true  religion 
herself;  every  flower  of  seU-rigliteousnesa  withered  and 
died  before  the  bright  and  penetrating  beams  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.     Some  date  their  first  impressions  from  hearing 
an  awakening  sermon.     The  word  is  quick  and  powerful. 
Many  have  been  alarmed  to  repentance  by  calamitiw 
and  appearances  in  the  natural  world;  a  comet,  a  thun- 
der-storm,  a   volcanic   irruption,    an  earthquake,    or  a 
pestilence,  have  been  ministers  of  terror  to  the  con- 
science,  and  means  of  reformation  tc  the  life. 

God  has  sometimes  overruled  a  dream,  a  vision,  the 
death  of  a  friend,  a  reverse  in  circumstances,  or  a  fit  of 
sicknesi,  to  the  good  of  careless  men:  but  my  mother 
was  convinced  of  her  lost  estate  by  reading  that  moBt 
excellent  book,  AUein's  Alarm  to  the  Unconverted.  Surely, 
if  good  men,  safely  landed  in  the  haven  of  rest,  only  knew 
the  benefit  arising  from  their  pious  labours,  it  must  bnng 
a  rich  and  increasing  addition  to  their  pure  and  divme 

felicity.  ,    ,  , 

In  this  view,  a  writer  of  good  book  has  an  advan- 

tage  over  one  who   only  preaches  j  the   -^.bojrs  of  tVe 

latter  cease  with  his  life,  anii  somet:  no^f^  b^'^le ;  the  lor- 

mer,  though  dead,  yet  speaketh ;   and  continues  doing 

good  manyages  after  his  mortal  remains  have  mixed 

with  the  common  dust ;  his  usefulness  like  a  stream,  in- 

<    -m^^  as    it  rolls  along  the  continent  of  time   to  the 

<.,'    3  of  eternity.     Could   a  Baxter,  a  Bunyan,  or  an 

;  i  «in,  wh'l  writing  in  the  solitary  gloom  of  a  prison; 

could  they  haT«  foreseen  the  immense  good,  that  would 


I     attei 

Si     theii 

bene 

O 

you 

you 

♦ 


,    fr€ 


/^cr< 


ti.1 


''^•■•"■•—^IWWP- 


JOSHUA  MARSOEN. 


23 


y'^ 


red  of  ovil  or 
e  only  rt  »iion 
ked,  was  the 
of  everlasting 

ougb  tolerably 
'  awakened  to 
)f  true  religion 
williered  and 
na  of  the  Holy 
8  from  hearing 
i  and  powerful, 
i  by  calamitiei 
comet,  a  thun- 
thquake,   or  a 
>r  to  the  con- 
life. 

),  a  vision,  i\w 
ices,  or  a  fit  of 
but  my  mother 
iding  that  most 
wetted.  Surely, 
rest,  only  knew 
rs,  it  must  bring 
ure  and  divine 


•■\ 


.,i« 


attend  their  labours,  surely  it  would  have  illuminated 
their  gloom,  and  warmed  their  breasts  with  emotions  of 

benevolent  delight.  . 

O  ye  venerable  men,  we  think  of  yon  with  delight; 
your  memories  are  like  ointment  pourei'  forth.  We  read 
your  works;  and  the  sentiment  that  you  are  now  in  glory, 
stamps  a  richer  value  upon  your  godly  instructions. 

The  oxercises  of  my  distressed  mother  were  of  the 
tiioet  singular  kind;  she  was  not  drawn   like  Lydia,  nor 
meli  ;d  like  Mary;  a  deep  gloom  fell  upon   her  spirits; 
her  passions  were  strong,  and  like  a  mighty  current,  car- 
ried  her  towards  the  vortex  of  despair  :  the  apprehension 
that  she  had  sinned  beyond  the  lltiits  of  mercy  filled  her 
soul  with  the  liveliest  horrors  j  the  language  she  used  on 
this  occasion  was  the  most  awful  that  can  be  imagined. 
I  well  remember  many  of  her  wonls,  for  they  were  like 
sharp  spears  piercing  my  very  heart.   I  would  have  given 
the  whole  universe  to  have  calmed  the  agitations  of  her 
troubled  breast.    She  spent  who!^  nights  in  walking  the 
house,  wringing  her  hands,  stanripSng  with  her  leet,  and 
frequently  venting  her  emotions  in  language  gloomy  as 
misery  itself,  bitterly  bewailing  her  hopeless  state.  Many 
times  have  I  lain  trembling,  weeping,   and  sleepless,  for 
hours,  distressed  beyond  measure,  not  indeed  for^ioy  own 
sins  but  on  account  of  the  melancholy  and  horrible  state 
of  my  mother's  mind.     The  impre^ions  then  made  upon 
my  imagination  will  never  be  wholly  erased;   and  I  am 
persuaded  that  the  following  picture  was  stamped  upon 
ny  thoughts  from  the  views  it  then  received  of  this  bale- 
ful and  horrible  passion. 

lo  terror  clad  the  Deity  is  seen, 

But  no  mild  intercessor  stands  between 

The  guilty  soul,  and  sin-arenging  God,  • 

To  calm  his  fur^  and  avert  his  rod. 

With  terms  of  peace  fierce  wrath  to  reconcilCj 

And  bid  red  buruing  justice  wear  a  s«"»^ 

On  guilt  alone  this  deadly  night-shade  g# 

Guilt,  fruitful  mother  of  our  many  woes. 


sm-- 


^^x, 


:i«ft». 


24 


I 


MEMOIRS  OF  » 

Fear  springs  from  guilt,  and  unbelief  from  fear. 

That  deems  all  lost,  this  reads  no  mercy  near. 

To  hapless  souls,  endued  with  passionti  strong, 

These  hateful  meatal  maladies  belong. 

Sin  swells  immense,  the  mountain  magnifies, 

And  blots  the  star  of  mercy  from  the  skies. 

Each  fault  the  stamp  of  aggravation  bears, 

Each  stain  a  tint  of  deepest  crimson  wears; 

Each  slip  in  fancy,  action,  thought,  or  word, 

Stings  like  an  asp,  or  pierces  like  a  sword, 

While  dread  without,  and  terror  from  within, 

Annex  a  direful  curse  to  every  sin. 

Now  Satan  every  hellish  art  essays, 

T' increase  the  storm  and  swell  the  angry  seasj 

And  shifts  his  fatal  4ack  from  side  to  side. 

To  raise  the  wretch's  fear,  or  swell  his  pride. 

God  might  a  little  fault  or  two  pass  by. 

But  yours,  (observe  the  wily  tempter's  lie) 

Exceed  the  limits  of  almighty  grace, 

Christ's  blood  can't  cleanse  them,  nor  thy  tears  eflace. 

So  dire  the  oflFence,  the  stain  is  deep  as  hell, 

And  pardon  is  a  thi%  impossible. 

The  promise  shines,  but  still  new  doubts  suggest ; 

Grace  neverwill  relume  the  sinner's  breast. 

And  here's  the  dreadful  worm  that  gnaws  within, 

The  doubtful,  dismal,  deadly,  damning  sin. 

Doubts  rise  on  doubts,  and  fear  to  fear  succeeds, 

Distress'd,  appal'd,  he  trembles  while  he  reads : 

Beholds  an  angry  curse  on  every  leaf, 

While  every  scripture  aggravates  his  grief: 

Sin  after  grace ! — and  after  pardon  falls! 

The  fatal,  fearful  blasphemy  he  calls; 

And  many  a  text  the  wily  fiend  will  cite, 

To  justify  the  lie,  and  prove  it  right. 

All  comfort  from  the  sacred  volume  fled, 

'Tis  cast  aside,  and  seldom  ever  read ; 

Or  only  read  to  aggravate  his  case, 

And  drive  the  exile  from  the  realms  of  grace. 

Silent  and  sad  the  live-long  day  he  site, 

Absorb'd  in  thought,  like  one  bereft  of  wits  : 

Lost  in  a  maze  of  dark  intricate  doubt, 

.  No  star  to  steer,  no  path  to  lead  him  out. 

£mbarras*d,  craz'd,  bewilder'd,  and  perplext, ' 

■  JCSSUCS  Ulceus,  UUpc  Tliv;3,  cuxu  ttixu  xecopmt   »,w«».»—  ..v.~». 


:^H 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


25 


■m 


With  frightful  thoughts  his  fear-struck  fancy  teema, 
And  images  of  wo  perplex  his  dreams. 
IPrayer  is  abandon'd,  can  the  mind  aspire, 
When  hope  no  longer  feeds  the  sacred  fire? 
No  friends,  no  consolation  can  beguile, 
Or  gild  his  gloomy  features  with  a  smile. 
Lost  to  the  useful  world  and  all  its  cares  j 
Lost  to  his  honour,  profit,  and  aflfairs  j 
Lost  to  the  sinless  sweet  of  tranquil  life  i 
Lost  to  his  parents,  children,  home,  and  wife. 
His  hollow  eyes  with  wild  expression  stare, 
His  haggwrd  looks  bespeak  corroding  care : 
His  soul  is  on  a  restless  ocean  tost, 
His  heart  congeal'd  with  everlasting  frost. 
Without  an  anchor,  pilot,  star,  or  helm. 
Tremendous  billows  threaten  to  o'erwhelm : 
The  scene  is  dismal,  and  the  sky  o'ercast, 
Loud  roars  the  wave,  and  fiercely  howls  the  blast. 
Blue  guilt  quick  flashes  thro'  the  tortur'd  soul, 
And  deep  the  peals  of  angry  vengeance  roll : 
.    Like  swelling  seas  blasphemous  thoughts  arise, 
'      And  dash  their  impious  billows  'gainst  the  skies. 
No  hand  to  help,  no  peaceful  haven  near, 
Fear  chills,  and  sullen  hate  succeeds  to  fear. 
Mercy  is  past,  the  wretched  sinner  cries, 
Mercy  is  past,  the  wily  fiend  replies; 
Mercy  is  past,  ray  rebel  soul  is  curst, 
Justice,  strike  home,  and,  vengeance,  do  thy  worst. 

Despair  is  the  most  deplorable  mental  malady  in  the 
world ;  whether  it  be  the  offspring  of  a  nervo'JS  weak- 
ness, or  spring  solely  from  the  temptations  of  the  dnitjl. 
It  fills  the  countenance  with  gloom,  and  tlie  heart  with 
corroding  melancholy;  it  perverts  the  divine  goodness; 
casts  into  shade  ail  the  precious  promises,  and  draws  it, 
dark  veil  over  the  resplendent  glories  of  redeeming  love. 
Few  things  tend  more  to  harden  the  mind  and  disparage 
scriptural  piety,  whose  ways  are  pleasantness,  and  whose 
delightful  paths  abound  with  peace.  Instead  of  behold- 
ing  Deity  as  represented  in  his  holy  word^^^lhe  despairing 
sinner  forms  a  gloomy  picture  from  an  image  in-p8  own 


' — r 


^2,^\£^      *\V        l^%«..tfk 


26 


MEMOIRSi  OF 


whose  mercies  »re  overall  his  works;  who  delighteth 
not  in  the  death  of  a  sinner;  but  an  ideal  monster,  eora- 
nounded  of  wrath,  fury,  malignity,  and  cruelty ;  some- 
what resembling  the  terrible  Thor  of  our  Saxon  ances- 
tors.  We  have  a  painful  instance  of  this  in  the  case  of 
that  noted  man  Francis  Spira.* 

My  mother  continued  in  this  st.t«  for  several  month., 
wresfing  the  scriptures  to  her  own  misery,  and  desperate-  , 
Ty  sSl  in  collecting  every  passage  in  the  sacred  book 
agafn     whomsoever  levelled,  and  aiming  them  aga.n  t 
hCT  own  breast.    Hence  our  Lord's  unpardonable  sj. 
sl    Paul's  fearful  falling  away,  St.  John's  sn,  unto  de.K 
were  as  fuel  to  the  Bame  'that  burned  within      Me.cy 
Tppear  d  to  be  clean  gone,  and  all  light  v.m»M.  »- 
what  served  to  show  the  horrors  of  her  situation.    I 
have  kno;n  her  dash  the  Bible  on  the    oor,  am  ,n  a„ 
.-onv  borderinfe;opon  phren^y  exclaim,  1  am  lost,  I  ain 
loTfor  erer,lSnost!  lost '.-No  one  can  conceive  th 
r,  r«s  of^i  endured  on  her  account.    I  sorrowed 
t  Z  mS  a-'  "»»  """"S  '°  become  miserable 
that"hW^5fbe  happyv  but  alas!  I  had  noknowle.!ge 
of  my  t^  state.     Mr^ings  were  exquisitely  tender 
towards  an  earthly  parent,  but  my  heart  was  a,  hanl  , 
the  nether  milUtone  towanls  thee,  my  God,  my  Father, 

'°Al7''^thaUhe  human  heart  should  be  so  susceptible 
of  natur'al  sorrow,  and  yet  so  terribly  obdurate  towar* 
Oo"l  ami  things  of  infinite  moment.  We  weep  for 
chUd  a  parent,  a  beloved  friend;  when  for  our  deepot- 
fenle's  against  i  pure,  holy,  and  merciful  God,  we  hardly 
She  a  sigh,  utter  a  groan,  or  shed  a  tear;  terrible 

.  1  have  been  informed  that  It  was  the  opinion  of  ftat  great  .»J 

;    r  lohn  Wesley,  that  Franois  Spira  went  to  heaven.    Po» 

^  hehad  b^r  r  aSns  for  beliering  this  than  I  an.  aequaint^ 

'^I  ^^rt!r^j;>«.  his  e«e  has  always  appeared  to  me  n^ 

dark  and  Iwpeless. 


.^, 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


27 


10  deliglitetli 
nonster,  com- 
puelty;  BomC* 
Saxon  ances- 
in  the  caae  of 

iveral  monthst 
and  desperate- 
8  Bacred  book, 
them  against 
ardonable  z'm; 
sin  unto  deatb> 
ithin.     Mercy 
vaniBhed,  save 
t  situation.    I 
oor,  and  in  an 
am  lost,  I  am 
n  conceive  the 
it.     I  sorrowed 
;ome  miserable 
i!  no  knowledge 
quiaitely  tender 
was  as  hard  as 
od,  my  Father, 

I  so  susceptible 

>durate  towards 

V^e   weep  for  a 

for  our  deep  of- 

God,  we  hardly 

a  tear;  terrible 


an  of  that  great  and 
jnt  to  heaven.  Pos- 
ban  I  am  acquainted 
appoRTed  to  me  roosl  \ 


proof  of  the  moral  hardness  and  depravity  of  the  human 

heart.  ...  n    ^p 

Alter  several  months  confinement  m  the  iron  castle  of 
deep  despair,  she  had  one  day  been  unusually  softened 
into  something  like  genuine  contrition,  and  had  sat  weep- 
ing till  she  fell  into  a  doze;  during  this  abstraction,  slae 
he.«rd,  as  she  supposed,  an  audible  voice  repeat  the  words, 
''  Be  not  of  a  doubtful  mind."     She  rose  from  her  chair, 
believing  some  one  had  spoke ;  but  there  was  no  person 
in  the  room.     She  felt  a  sensation  of  peace,  the   deep 
darkness  of  her  mind  was  dissipated,  and  rays  of  distant 
hope  dawned  upon  her  soul.     She  did  not  recollect  read- 
I  ing  the  passage ;  nor  could  my  father,  my  sister,  or  my- 
'  self,  remember  we  had  ever  seen  it;  its  effects  were, 
however,  pleasingly  visible. 

.  -  * 

From  that  blest  moment,  all  emotions  cease, 

Her  troubled  spirit  found  a  sudden  peace; 

As  by  a  calm ,  the  waves  of  grief  subside, 

Impetuous  passions  top  their  headloi^  tide.  Mrs.  Barbavld. 

From  what  principle  can  we  account  for  this  change  ? 
was  it  an  illusion  of  sleep  ?  could  this  eradicate  a  deep- 
rooted  malady  in  the  bottom  of  the  soul  ?  But  she  per- 
sisted that  she  was  not  asleep,  but  as  sensible  during  the 
time  as  though  wide  awake.— Was  it  a  creature  of  the 
imagination  ?  could  imagination  have  imparted  so  sweet 
a  peace  ?  could  mere  fancy  create  so  divine  a  change  ? 
rather  was^it  not  the  voice  of  him  that  speaketh  in  dreams 
and  visions  of  the  night  ?  the  still  small  voice  that  whis- 
pers love;  that  voice  which  aalmeth  the  raging  of  the 
sea,  that  stilleth  the  noise  of  the  billows,  and  that  by  a 
divine  and  peculiar  energy  carrieth  peace  to  the  inmost 
recesses  of  the  troubled  conscience  ?  And  can  we  won- 
der that  God  should  have  this  influence  over  the  human 
heart  ?  cannot  he,  who  hath  power  to  wind  up  the  feel- 
ings to  the  highest  pitch  of  distress,  drop  into  the  agita 
ted  soul  the  consolation  of  hone,  and  the  neace  of  renab«> 


28 


MEMOIRS  OF 


.ion''  But  the  cause  never  so  remote,  mysterious,  and 
eauivocal,  the  effects  were  most  beneficial ;  she  was  visit- 
fed  with  that  serenity  of  mind,  and  devout  earnestneag, 
which  was  not  only  a  blessing  to  hersell,  but  a  singular 
flatisfaction  to  every  branch  of  the  family. 

In  speaking  of  the  divine  change  which  my  mother 
felt,  1  would  not  become  the  unqualified  advocate  for 
every  impulse  of  the  mind,  much  less  would  I    digmfy 
theni  with  the  high  and  honourable  appellation  ot  get- 
tine  religion. 

We  speak  of  getting  religion  at  a  prayer-meeting,  a 

camp-meeting,  a  class-meeting,  &c.  But  I  would  here  ask 

is  not  religion  a  holy,  humble  walking  with  God  ?  Is  it 

not  rather  the  saint's  daily  practice,  than  the  soul  s  single 

act'    Is  not  religion  the  conformity  of  our  lives  to  the 

example  and  word  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  Is  it  not  a  gracio«» 

habit   and  holy  conversation  of  the  Christian  ?    But  are 

habiti  got  in  a  moment  ?  Is  a  step,  a  walk,  or  an  act,  a 

practice?     The  deepest  and  most  rooted  errors  m  the 

world,  have  generally  risen  from  small  beginnings.    We 

should  be  careful  that  we  speak  llie  truth  which  m  ac- 

cording  to  goilliness,  and  hold  fast  the  form  of  sound 

words  committed  to  us  by  the  holy  aiiostles. 

A  sinner  may  be  pardoned  and  justified  m  a  moment, 
and  this  may  take  place  cither  at  a  prayer  or  camp-meet- 
.ing;  but  surely  none  ought  to  say,  this  is  getting  reli- 
gion :  we  might  as  well  call  the  seed  sown,  the  harvest, 
or  a  newly  planted  sapling,  a  full  bearing  fruit-tree.    Is 
there  no  danger  that  the  seed  perish  in  the  earth  for  want 
of  care,  and  the  sapling  become  as  fruitless  as  the  bar- 
ren  fig-tree.    Let  us  never  suppose  the  putting  on  the 
armour  is  winning  the  battle,  or  laying  aside  our  weights 
that  we  may  run,  accomplishing  the  race  itself,    1  ruly 
all  religion  must  have  a  beginning  ;  hut  we  do  not  call 
the  chiW  an  active  man,  nor  the  recent   apprentice  an 
aWe  artist.     How   much  better  to  say,  conve^tetl,  find 

-  '      Ahnnirf!  of  heaii:  tbu 


-.V 


P";fi 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


29 


tteriou3,  and 

he  was  visit- 

earnestnesg) 

ut  a  singular 

I  my  mother 
advocate  for 
iltl  I  dignify 
lation  of  get- 


■4 


J0 


m 


er-meeting,  a 
[)uld  here  ask, 
th  God  ?  Is  it 
e  sours  single 
ir  lives  to  the 
lot  a  gracious 
ian  ?    But  are 
[,  or  an  act,  a 
1  errors  ia  the 
^innings.    We 
ti  which  i«  ac- 
form  of  sound 
e. 
I  in  a  momeut, 

or  camp- meet- 
is  getting  reli- 
n,  the  harvest, 
;  fruit-tree.  Is 
I  earth  for  want 
ess  as  the  bar- 
putting  on  the 
side  our  weights 
e  itself.    Truly 

we  do  not  call  ^ 
;   af>prentice  an 
converted,  find 
fTA  ofhttaii:thti 


is  both  more  agreeable  to  scripture,  and  also  to  christian 
exoerience,  than  the  other,  unless  we  can  prove  that  a 
pa^is  theVho^^^^  and  an  act  of  faith  the  whole  practice 

of  a  Christian.  ,     .      ,  t    i- 

It  was  not  long  after  my  mother  obtained  a  mamfesta. 

tion  of  divine  peace,  before  the  uew-born  tranquillity  of 

her  mind  was  called  to  a  most  severe  and  distressing  test. 

My  brother,  who  resided  in  another  place,  the  family  « 

hope,  and  the  darling  of  his  parents,  was  cut  off  in  a  most 

mysterious  and  singular  manner.     He  had  been  at  the 

funeral  of  a  respectable  young  female  whom  he  loved,  and 

i|  to  whom  he  was  engaged.     It  was  in  the  depth  of  win- 

1  ter.     They  returned  Irom  the  village  where  she  was  in- 

I  terred  after  night-fall:  him  they  missed  on  the  road;  but 

1  thought  he  lingered  behind  to  indulge  his  sorrowlul  sen- 

isations.     Next  day  his  horse   returned;   but   no  rider. 

Some  friends  went  in  search  of  him :  he  was  found  lying 

on  his  face  in  a  meadow ;  but  the  vital  spirit  was  for  ever 

fled.     As  no  marks  of  violence  wer^   found   upon   his 

>ody,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  the  anguish  of  his 

ipirit  overcame  the   animal  system,  and  he  died  of  a 

hroken  heart.     A  deep  and  mysterious  veil  rests  upon 

his  death,  which  will  probably   never  be  removed  till 

that  morn  shall  rise  that  casts  full  day  on  the  darkest 

scenes  of  time.     How  many  secrets   will  the  day  of 

judgment  unfold,  that  are  now  hid  from  the  brighteat 

intelligence  ui»on  earth. 


^i 


Not  deeply  to  dwcem,  not  much  to  know. 
Mankind  ^vere  born  to  wonder  and  adore. 


YouN«, 


Woes  came  in  clusters :  my  fatlier  died  a  little  while 
[  after  my  brother.  He  was  a  quiet,  sensible,  honest  man. 
(Of  his  religious  character  I  have  less  to  say :  I  am  afraid 
he  was  a  stranger  to- vital  piety  till  he  lay  upon  his  death- 
Ihedi  Some  pious  leaders  and  members  of  the  Methodist 
Ifiociety  then  visited  and  prayed  with  him ;  he  appeared 

C  2 


*. 


80 


ME1H0IB8  OF 


to  bear  bin  affliction  with  reaignation,  and  I  hope  he  died 

*°  GoTspoke  in  these  calamities,  but  I  pas  deaf  to  his 
voice;  the  rod  was  brandished  over  my  head,  but  1  did 
not  regard  it :  henCe,  though  bereaved  of  an  earthly  pa- 
rent,  t  sought  not  to  give  myself  up  to  the  Lord;  nor 
could  i  see  in  his  judgments  either  sufficient  reasons  of 
repentance  or  reformation.  . 

Though  not  fifteen  years  old,  I  was  infatuated  by  sm, 
and  drawn  down  the  vortex  of  evil  example.     Frequent- 
ly have  I  spent  most  of  the  night  in  playing  cards,  and 
/o  much  had  these  amulets  of  the  devil  bewitched  me, 
that  1  thought  and  studied  about  little  else.     I  call  cards 
amulets  of  the  devil,  because  they  are  very  bewitching; 
they  produce  a  habit  of  gaming,  ruin  the  moral  character, 
and  tend  greatly  to  injure  the  health;  they  turn  night  m- 
to  day,  spoil  the  temper,  and  take  the  mind  away  trom 
tiseful  studies  and  laudable  occupations :  by  them  the 
heart  is  corrupted  and  filled  with  dishonest  chicanery  and 
trick.     What  trifles  can  be  less  worthy  the  attention  ol  an 
immortal  being  ?    If  the  great  rule  of  our  conduct  be  the 
word,  and  the  end  of  our  actions  the  glory,  of  God,  from 
What  part  of  scripture  can  we  support  this  trifling  away 
ami  killing  time  ?    In  what  shape  can  amusements  ot  this 
kind  promote  God's  glory  ?     Should  we,  in  the  presence 
of  God,  under  the  apprehension  of  death,  or  with  the  re- 
alities  of  the  final  judgment  in  view,  sit  down  ami  delibe. 
lately  play  cards?     O  that  the  defenders  of  this  silly, 
pernicious  amusement,  would  examine  the  subject  in  the 
light  of  reason,  scripture,  and  eternity. 

Dancing  was  another  practice  into  which  1  was  drawi 
by  wicked  companions,  contrary  to  the  advice,  and  with- 
out  the  knowledge  of  my  pious  mother.  In  the  pursuit 
of  this  fashionable  folly,  my  morals  became  daily  more 
corrupt,  and  my  conscience  so  sleepy,  that  I  olten  toW 
my  mother  the  most  glaring  falsehoods  respecting  where 
aad  aQW  i  iiad  spvni  lue  iiigni 


i 


.1 


J0SH17A  MARSDEN. 


31 


hope  he  died 

IS  deaf  to  his 
Bad,  but  1  did 
in  earthly  pa- 
the  Lord;  nor 
ient  reasons  ot 

ituated  by  sin, 
le.     Frequent- 
ing cards,  and 
bewitched  me, 
I.     I  call  cards 
ry  bewitching;   j 
loral  character, 
Y  turn  night  in- 
lind  away  Irom 
:  by  them  the 
t  chicanery  and 
}  attention  of  an 
'  conduct  be  the 
y,  of  God,  from 
lis  trifling  away 
lusements  of  this 
in  the  presence 
,  or  with  the  re- 
lown  and  delibe- 
jrs  of  this  giUy, 
be  subject  in  the 

lich  1  was  drawn 
idvice,  and  with- 
.  In  the  pursuit 
came  daily  more 
that  I  often  told 
respecting  where 
'i'lil  ilipxneit 

2»»o  •»r^—"'  — 


fc  «•  ivan 


is  there  in  vice !  At  first  we  start  and  Irembl*  on  th€ 
brink  ;  our  consciences  are  alarmed ;  we  revolt  from  great 
sing— we  commit  smaller :  the  conscience  is  deadened ; 
we  take  courage:  another  step,  the  trembling  soul  is  less 
afraid— we  conquer  our  repugnance  by  repeating  \hc 
offence,  till  finally  we  reduce  to  a  habit,  that  which  at 
first  we  could  not  do  without  great  remorse  in  the  act. 

'■  The  6r9t  emotions  of  the  human  will, 

Are  like  desceading  from  a  lofty  hill} 
At  first  with  cautious  slowness  we  proceed, 
But  as  we  progress  forward,  mend  our  speed : 
Swifter  and  swifter,  lo!  we  run,  we  fly. 
Till  choice  is  ohang'd  to  sad  necessity. 


Or,  as  Pope  says,  We  pity  first,  next  hug,  and  then  em- 
brace. 

I  was  now  familiar  with  the  first  stages  of  a  life  of 
finished  ungodliness,  and  wanted  little  but  the  finish  of 
infidelity  to  make  the  picture  complete.     To  my  mother, 
.the  best  of  parents,  1  was  shockingly  disobedient :  to  such 
a  degree,  that  I  have  often  used  insulting  language,  and 
refused  to  comply  with  the  most  reasonable  requests, 
though  they  round  an  advocate  in  my  guilty  and  polluted 
conscience.    Sometimes  I  esteemed  it  a  misfortune  to 
have  a  pious  parent :   I  wished  io  think  religious  people 
were  all  hypocrites,  that  I  might  have  a  greater  excuse 
for  neglecting  piety.     The  company  of  some  who  did 
not  regard  their  parents,  greatly  hardened  me  in  disobe- 
dience.    Truly  may  it  be  said,  that  our  manners  are 
formed  by  the  company  we  keep.     O  how   greatly  arc 
the  morals  of  many  hopeful  boys  endangered,  by  sufifer- 
ing  them  to  associate  with  idle,  wicked,  and  profane  lads. 
With  these  I  often  rambled  all  night  through  the  town ; 
nvent  to  horse-races,  vrakes,  dances;  attended  the  play- 
house, and  often  frequented  taverns.     1  several  times  got 
intoxicated  with  spirituous  liquors;  was  proficient  in 
singing  profane  songs;  and  to  show  my  wicked  associateiji 


32 


MEMOIRS  OF 


that  I  had  as  little  religion  as  themselrea,  would  frequent- 
ly swear  and  use  prolane  language,  in  some  sensea  I 
was  reckoned  a  brave  fellow  among  them ;  a  kind  of  fore- 
most  man,  as  I  was  high-spirited,  and  would  fight  to  de- 
fend  or  protect  any  of  my  wicked  colleagues :  so  that 
they  viewed  my  courage  with  a  kind  of  fear,  and  esteem. 
ed  my  friendship  a  sort  of  protection.  I  rarely  went 
into  a  place  of  worship  except  to  make  a  disturbance  or 
to  lounge  away  the  time.  I  could  now  sport  with  the 
infirmities  of  God's  people,  and  relish  a  joke  though  at 
the  expense  of  religion. 

I  had  been  accustomed  to  make  some  kind  of  prayer 
morning  and  night;  but  this  now  became  too  severe  a 
task,  and  I  laid  it  aside  altogether.  Sometimes  the 
warnings  of  my  mother  irritated  my  conscience  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  fill  me  with  a  sort  of  temporary  madness ; 
and  then  the  volcano  within  would  burst  out,  first  in  reflec- 
tion, and  then  in  disobedient  and  resentful  expressions. 
Little,  my  adorable  Redeemer,  little  did  I  think,  that  I 
was  then  persecuting  and  reproaching  thee  in  the  person 
of  thy  people !  Forgive  me  all  my  ungodly  deeds,  and 
O  forgive  me  all  my  hard  speeches. 


And  now  forgive  my  sins  confess'd,  deplor'd, 
Against  thine  image  in  thy  saints,  O  Lord ! 


COWPER. 


She  would  reason,  plead,  remonstrate,  and  warn;  but 
I  had  neither  ears  to  hear,  nor  eyes  to  see.  My  pious 
mother  would  weep;  but  my  stony  heart  did  not  relent. 
Sometimes  in  secret  1  was  deeply  grieved  at  the  recol. 
lection  of  «y  conduct;  but  Satan  would  not  allow  his 
votary  to  reflect.  1  feared  going  to  hell;  and  yet,  by  a 
kind  of  arithmetical  despair,  I  would  calculate  upon  go- 
ing there.  I  was  in  some  sense  a  fatalist,  and  thought, 
Well,  if  I  am  to  be  lost,  I  may  as  well  go  on  in  sin; 
and  then,  with  a  kind  of  hardened  pride,  like  Milton^ 


ors 


[>u1d  frequeDt 
jine  Benees  I 
.  kind  of  fore- 
i  fight  to  de- 
lies :  90  that 
',  and  ealeem. 
[  rarely  went 
listurbance  oc 
port  with  the 
>ke  though  at 

iind  of  prayer 
too  severe  a 
^metimes  the 
ience  in  sucfa 
■ary  madness; 
,  first  in  re  flee* 
]|  expressions, 
i  think,  that  I 
in  the  person 
ly  deeds,  and 


d, 


COWPER. 


ind  warn;  but 
5e.  My  piouB 
did  not  relent. 
I  at  the  recol- 
not  allow  his 
and  yet,  by  a 
;ulate  upon  go- 
,  and  thought) 
I  go  on  in  sin ; 
,  like  MUtos^ 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 

go  farewell  hope,  and  with  hope  farewell  fear, 
Farewell  remorse,  all  good  to  me  is  lostj 
Evil,  be  thou  my  good. 


33 


MiLTOK. 


Nevertheless,  every  new  step  in  wickedness  was  a 
kind  of  violence  offered  to  my  conscience,  wliich  ever 
and  anon  rang  such  a  larum  in  the  ears  of  wy  soul,  as 
f  made  me,  if  possible,  more  nnserable  than  I  had  made 
*    lyself  vile.     O  what  a  drudgery  is  the  practice  of  sin  ! 
:ruly  might  the  wise  man  say,  '*  The  way  of  transgress- 
rs  is  hani,''   and  the  heathen,  nemo  mdo  felix,  "  no 
icked  man  is  happy."  It  is  seriously  to  be  quei.tioned, 
..hether  a  guilty  conscience,  with  all  its  afipendages  of 
fears,  remorses,  glooms,  stings,   anticipated   hells,   and 
liniature  judgments,  be  not  harder  to  bear  than  all  the 
rosses,    trials,  denials,  afflictions,   contradictions,  arid 
lifficulties  of  a  life  of  piety-     It  is,  to  be  sure,  hard  to 
lo  violence  to  corrupt  nature;  but  is  it  not  hard,  on  the 
ither  hand,  to  do  violence  to  conscience,  reason,  and 
;he  dictates  of  God's  spirit  in  the  heart  ? 

YeAeo  meliora  proboque 
Deteriora  sequor. 

t  see  the  right,  and  I  approve  it  tod, 

Condemn  the  wrong,  and  yet  the  wrong  pursue. 

Every  one  has  heard  the  story  of  Araspes  telling  Cy- 
i  rus  that  he  had  two  souls  at  war  within.  And  while  the 
;heaven*born  principle  is  opposed,  checked,  and  fought 
against,  the  miserable  individual  is  making  war  upon  his 
own  peace.  Oa  the  contrary,  the  sweetness  of  seiMle- 
nial  is  superior  to  the  pleasures  of  sin,  gives  a  silent,  in- 
ward, rational  delight,  pure  as  the  silver  moon-beam,  and 
calm  as  the  heavens,  of  which  it  is  an  emanation.  B«| 
the  horror  of  remorse  lives,  when  the  criminal  pleasure 
is  past;  and  even  in  this  world  takes  ample  vengeance 
on  the  victim  of  guilty  passions  and  ungodly  deeds.— 
The  christian  may  count  the  cost,  and  look  ferwfffd  with 


# 


34 


MEMOIRS  OF 


composure  and  peace  to  the  unmortal  reward  :  but  if  the 
sinner  count  the  cost,  he  must  be  the  miserable  supporter 
of  prospective  wretchedness  and  reversionary  misery. 

I  wonder  not  that  brave  Colonel  Gardiner  should  say 
while  trampling  upon  the  rights  of  conscience,  and  viola, 
ting  the  laws  of  God,  that  he  was  often  so  miserable,  he  * 
would  gladly  have  exchanged  conditions  with  the  most 
degraded  brute  animal :  this  vas  my  case  while  living 
without  God.  1  sometimes  felt  more  wretched  than  I 
liave  words  to  express,  and  plunged  frequently  into  lolly 
merely  to  drown  the  sense  of  my  misery. 

From  the  time  my  mother  became  truly  sciious,  she 
ioined  herself  to  the  church  of  England,  and  aitended  the 
ministry  of  a  Mr.  G.   The  zeal  of  thia  faithful  man  wa» 
not  unworthy  of  the  sacred  cause ;  hence  she  greatly 
profited  both  by  his  public  and  private   labours.     This 
upright  and  zealous  man  did  not  think  it  enough  merely 
to  preach  once  or  twice  on  the  Loid's-day ;  he  was  instant 
in  season  and  out  of  season ;  preacii^ng  thrice  on  the  sab-  j 
bath ;  lecturing  on  Tuesday  evening,  find  meeting  once* 
a  week  for  private  religious  instruction  the  serious  part 
of  his  charge.     Happy  would  it  be  for  religion  and  the 
chnrch  of  England,  if  this  plan  were  adopted  by  all  het 
ministers.     She  would  then  be  the  glory  of  all  churcheB, 
and  God  would  be  the  glory  of  her. 
-.    From  the  labours  of  this  evangelical  preacher,  ray  mo- 1 
iher  more  and  more  imbibed  the  spirit  of  religion  ;  her" 
prayers  were  fervent,   often  breathed  forth  with  strong 
eries  and  tears;  her  zeal  in  reproving  sin  was  uninfluen- 
ced by  worldly  motives,  and  her  desire  to  promote  my 
eternal  salvation  became  daily  more  ardent,  till  weary  of 
reproof,  and  growing  more  wicked  as  my  godly  mother 
became  pious,  I  left  home,  and  went  with  some  others  o£ 
my  wild  companions  oa  board  a  ship  qf  war. 


{i-'i\% 


-Jm 


aOectii 

^  thousa 

■^  .vhose 

-  watcht 

them  1 

bled  ( 

;4knowr 

tionatt 

that  t< 

disobe 

unduti 

[filial  r 

liess,  i 

her  sij 

[oondui 

[the  ru 

[had  of 

I  sea,  ai 

tion  o 

less  m 

L  to  see 

rand  t 

had  ki 

[much 

thing 

disobe 

ther  0 

nial. 

deepl; 

corres 

wider 


* 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


35 


I :  but  if  the 
)le  supporter 
•y  misery, 
r  should  say 
e,  and  viola- 
Miserable,  he  # 
th  the  most 
while  liviDg 
[ched  than  I 
tly  into  folly 

scvious,  she 
attended  the 
tful  man  wag 

she  greatly 
hours.  Thig 
lough  merely 
e  was  instant 
:e  on  the  sab- 
meetiog  once  I 
e  serious  part! 
gion  and  the 
:ed  by  all  het 

aU  churches, 

Etcher,  my  mo-  ^ 
religion  ;  her  | 
h  with  strong ; 
ivas  uninfluen- 
o  promote  inyi 
t,  till  weary  otj 
godly  mother] 
5ome  others  of  I 
If. 


CHAP.  II. 


How  regardless  are  wicked  boys  of  the  feelings  and 
aflections  of  a  parent.     How  rashly   will  they  plunge  a 
thousand  daggers  in  a  tender  mother's  breast :  that  mother 
^hose  life  has  heen  devoted  to  their  comfort,  who  has 
watched  them  with  the  most  lively  solicitude,   nursed 
them  with  the  tenderest  care,   whose  feeling  heart   has 
bled  at  their  pains,   wept  over  their  sorrows,  and  has 
known  no  joy  separate  from  their  welfare.     That  affec- 
;.  tionate  parent,  whose  life  is  bound  up  in  her   offspring; 
that  tender  mother  is  put  to  a  thousand  tortures  by  the 
disoiiedience,  the  hard-heartedness,  and  obstinacy  of  an 
undutiful  child ;  who  having  treated  her  with  want  of 
,  filial  respect,  abused  her  kindness,  re()ul8ed  her  tender- 
liess,  and  harassed  her  patience,  finally  flies  her  house, 
I  her  sight,  her  protection,  to  be  punished  for  undutiful 
[conduct  and  base  ingratitude  by  the  coldness  of  strangers, 
^the  rudeness  of  churls,  and  the   ferocity  of  ruffians.     I 
[had  often  threatened  my  pious  mother  that  I  would  go  to 
I  sea,  and  had  several  times  left  home  with  the  full  inten- 
tion of  going  a  voyage  to  the  coast  of  Guinea.     My  rest- 
less mind  and  roving  disposition  burned  with  impatience 
to  see  l^oreign  climes.   Some  of  my  companions  had  gone ; 
and  those  who  having  returned,  boasted  of  what  they 
had  known  and  seen,  were  looked  upon  by  me   with 
much  greater  deference  than  others ;  but  hitherto  some- 
thing had  always  interposed;  yet  in  the  baseness  of  my 
disobedience,  I  still  held  it  in  terrorum  whenever  my  mo- 
ther offended  me  by  a  re{»roof,  or  mortified  me  with  a  de- 
nial.    Alas!   I  was  (though  only   seventeen)  become 
deeply  wicked;   but  my  means  of  wickedness  did   not 
correspond  with  my  depraved  capacities;   I  wanted  a^ 
wider  field,  a  fuller  range.     Ah,  how  patient  is  Op(9  Adt^ 
to  Cut  down  such  mad  rebelg  in  the  midst  of  their  foiiy  t  aC 


"w 


.i* 


U'l 


36 


MEMOIRS  OF 


had  cast  off  his  fear,  and  plunged  into  a  variety  of  thing* 
over  which  purity  must  cast  a  vail. 


I  never  then  my  God  address'd 
In  grateful  praise,  or  humble  prayer ; 
And  if  his  word  was  not  my  jest, 
(Dread  thought)  it  never  was  my  care. 


w 

Crabbe      r 


At  last  the  hour  arrived  when  I  must  be  punished  for 
my  wicltednesB,  and  beaten  with  ray  own  rod  :  perhaps 
this  was  as  good  a  punishment  as  the  reacting  (providence 
of  God  could  have  brought  upon  me ;  and  as  il  seemed  to 
Krow  out  of  my  sin,  I  could  read  the  hand  writing  upon 
the  wall  in  the  midst  of  my  difficulties;  the  wild   imi 
colt  was  completely  curbed,  and  by   how  much   I  had 
been   wicked  belor^  by  so  much  was  I  punished  now, 
measure  for  measure :  here  I  saw   profaneness  in  all  its 
diabolical  characters,  and  mixed  with  men  rude  as  the 
rock,  and  boisterous  as  the  storm— good  school  tor  experi- 
ence, but  a  shocking  seminary  for  vice.   1  do  not  womier 
that  Dr.  Johnston  should  give  a  prison  the  prelerence  of 
a  ship  of  war ;   as  there  are  several  points  in  which  the 
BUbiect  will  admit  a  close  parallel :  a  prison  introduces 
Tou  into  a  mixed  multitude,  some  middling,  and  others 
desperately  wicked;  but  all  in  general  destitute  oi   true 
relieion.     A  prison  is  a  state  of  close  confinement,  hard 
labour,  and  sometimes  severe  punishments.     In  a  j.rison 
the  most  severe  discipline  is  used  to  keep  the  prisoners  in 
awe-  the  jailors  are  sometimes  tyrants,  and  the  penalties  I 
severe.     Men  will  on  every  occasion  run  from  a  prison;  i 
nay,  they  sometimes  even  rise  upon  their  keepers.    A 
prison  separates  you  from  the  rest  of  mankind,  and  hm. 
ders  you  from  conversing  with  any  but  the  unhappy  in- 
mates  of  your  confinement.     In  all  these  points  the  sub- 
iect  may  be  applied  to  a  ship  of  war.   Doubtless  there  are 
Bome  good  ships,  and  excellent  commanders.     I  myseU 
%avc  known  several  pious  captains  in  the  merchant  ser- 

_.         __  «  1 u ~i  ^  «  faniholnnging  tO  shioB  Of  WBt; 

|ri4>C  aMQ  iiii'VC  MCOis-  vs  (—  -sv..  ^-    w  - 


JfesHUA  MARSDEN. 


37 


ietyof  thingt 


I 


CRABB£ 

e  punished  for 
rod  :   perhaps 
ng  (>rovidence 
18  i(  seemed  to 
•  writing  u|)on 
he  wild   nsa'a 
i  much   I  had 
junished  now, 
nesB  in  all  its 
n  rude  as   the 
nool  for  experi- 
do  not  wonder 
e  jirelerence  of 
\  in  which  the 
son  introduces 
ng,  and  others 
stitute  of  true 
finement,  hard 
3.     In  a  orison 
the  prisoners  in 
ad  the  penalties 
I  from  a  prison; 
ir  keepers.    A 
kind,  and  hin- 
he  unhappy  in- 
points  the  sub- 
ibtless  there  are 
iders.     I  myseU 
I  merchant  ser- 
to  BhipB  of  war; 


but  alas,  the  odd«  are  so  much  on  the  other  side  as  to 
give  the  subject,    in  general,  a  very  gloomy  and  unpro- 
mising aspect.    I  was  some  time  on  board  the  Nassau  04, 
afterwards  lost  on  Jie  coast  of  Holland,  with  many  of  her 
crew ;  prior  to  which  I  was   sent  with  some  others  on 
board  of  the  beautiful  frigate  Amethyst,  then  fitting  out 
in  Portsmouth  harbour;  this  vessel  had   been  taken  from 
the  French,  and  was  then  preparing  to  cruise  against  her 
old  masters.    Here  I  had  an  opportunity  of  contl^ilpiating 
a  complete  collection  of  rebels  against  God  and  piety,  from 
the  captain  to  the  cabin  boys.     1  do  not  recollect    that 
there  was  one  person  on  board  who  eitberimly  feared  bis 
^  Maker,  or  worked  righteousness,  and  yet  the  crew  con- 
sisted of  nearly  three  hundred  fine  young  men,  many  of 
them  fit  for  any  service  ;  but  alas,  wicked,  daring,  and 
'.  profane.      We  had  not  so  much  as  the  shadow  of  a  chap^ 
lain ;  no,  nor  yet  any  religious  service  oa  the  Lord's  day: 
hence,  is  it  to  be  wondered  at,  that  blasphemy,  gambling, 
drunkennesp,   and  other  wickedness,  were  curried  to   an 
enormous  extent;   and  not  even  the  mention  of  religion 
to  check  the  torrent  of  iniquity  ?  It  is  not  a  random  or 
harsh  expression  to  say,  that  such  a  man  of  war  is  a  float- 
ing hell. 

As  this  was  eighteen  years  ago,  there  may  be  some  hap- 
py changes  for  the  better  now.     The  oflRcers  may  not  set 
so  prc^ne  an  example;  each  ship  may  be  furnished  with 
[a  faitffil  and  zealous  chaplain;  the  captains  may  prohibit 
[swearing  under  certain  penalties;   the  men  may  be  sup- 
I  plied  with   bibles  and  religious  tracts  ;  the  sabbath  may 
be  more  regularly  observed ;  the  custom  of  admitting  un- 
chaste females  on  board  may  be  pronibited  altogether; 
and  the  men,  encouraged  by  the  example  of  their  officers, 
may  be  moral,  regular,  and  orderly. 

Our  station  was  to  cruize  off  the  coast  of  France,  peep 

into  the  French  harbours,  and  amioy  their  trade  as  nvieh 

I  as  possible.  We  continued  in  company  with  other  frigates 

\  in  this  career  till  December,  1 790,  when  we  put  into  Tor- 


J* 


38 


MEMOIRS  OF 


1 


#» 


bay  for  wood  and  water.     We  sailed  on  the  28th  of  (lie 
same  month,  and  the  following  evening  were  overtaken 
with  a  severe  gale  of  wind,  which  continued  through  the 
whole  of  m  dark  and  dismal  a  night  as  was  perhaps  ever 
experienced.     A  part  of  the  f.rst  watch  were  allowed  (o 
be  below.     1  lay  down  in  my  hammock,  and  immediate- 
ly  started  up  with  the  terrific  dream  that  the  ship  had 
struck  on  a  rock.     At  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  thi8 
presentiment  was  realized ;  we  were  then  goin^r  before  the 
wind,  which  was  blowing  a  gale,  the  sky  thick  and  rainy, 
and  the  roaring  of  the  waves  horrible;  the  vessel  with 
close   reefed  topsails  was  dashing  rapidly    through  the 
boiling  foam,  and  as  she  descended  a  sea,  she  struck  with 
a  most  tremendous  crash  upon  a  reef.     O  how   dul  that 
Bhock  pierce  the  hearts  of  all  on  board  I  Instantly  all  vvas 
confusion,  Bolicitude,  and  despair.     The  mght  dismally 
dark,  the  wild  wind  roaring  furiously,  the  sea  all   in  a 
foam,  and  our  gallant  ship  dashing  upon  the  rocks,  form. 
ed   a  scene  of  sublime  and  terrible  distress,   worthy  of 
the  pen  of  Salvator  Rosa.     Ah,  what  a  change  was  this 
from  the  precec'ing  day.     All  was  then  mirth,  not,  and 
drunkenness ;  ;3ut  death  now  stared  us  in  the  lace.     Even 
our  profane  boatswain,  (a  profaner  never  lived  in  the  sub- 
Brbs  of  the  bottomless  pit)  cried  in  the  most  lamentable 
manner,  «  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me ;  we  are  all  lost. 

Whence  is  it  that  in  times  of  danger  the  humm  hearty 
naturally  turns  to  God  as  its  only  refuge  ?  for  eveTTman^ 
ners,  who  are  often  the  profanest  and  most  atheistical  ot  | 
beings,  will  then  call  upon  God,  and  thus  acknowledge  J 
his  power  over  the  elements,  his  omnipresence,  and  his 
providence.  Perhaps  it  is  the  natural  tendency  of  ad- 
V«r9ity  to  drive  us  to  take  refuge  in  the  arms  of  a  being 
possessed  of  unerring  wisdom,  communicative  gootlness, 
und  boundless  power. 

^^  the  midst  of  our  calamity,  when  we  had  reason  to 
fear  that  every  moment  would  be  our  last,  a  tremendoM 
wrge  lifted  us  over  the  ledge,  and  we  once  more  re»ice 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


39 


c  28th  of  the 
ere  overtaken 
;(i  through  the 
,  perhaps  ever 
?re  alloweil  to 
id  inimeiUate- 
the  ship  had 
morning  this 
rina;  before  the 
lick  and  rainy, 
e  vessel   with 
through  the 
he  struck  with 
how    did  that 
stantly  all  was 
light  dismally 
e  sea  all   in   a 
he  rocks,  form- 
ess,    worthy  of 
hange  was  this 
lirth,  riot,  and 
le  face.     Even 
ved  in  the  sub- 
ost  lamentable 
^e  are  all  lost." 
le  humsy^heart 
?  for  evePmari- 
st  atheistical  of 
s  acknowledge 
jsence,  and  his 
endency  of  ad- 
arms  of  a  being 
3ative  gooilness, 

e  had  reason  to 
it,  a  tremendous 
ice  more  maiti 


on  the  bosom  of  the  waves;  if  that  could  be  any  consola- 
lion  in  a  sinking  ship  on  a  stormy  sea,  and  surrounded 
with  darkness  and  tempest.     When  our  carpenter  sound- 
ed the  well,  his  report  was  hardly  less  dismal  than  the 
death-warrant  of  a  criminal  who  has  been  just  looking  for 
a  reprieve.     The  chain  and  hand  pumps  were  all  manned 
with  an  alacrity  that  promised  we  should  not  go  to  the 
bottom  if  labour  could  prevent  it ;  but  every  effort   to 
gain  upon  the  water  was  in  vain  ;  it  prevailed,  and  the 
ship  ap|)€ared  to  be  sinking  very  fast,  as  the  water  was 
in  the  hold  nearly  up  to  the  combings  of  the  hatchway. 
Sails  were  let  down  under  the  bows  to  try  to  stop  the 
leak.  The  guns,  anchors,  and  boats,  were  all  thrown  over- 
board,  save  one  of  each,  and  this  seemed  to  lighten  us  a 
little.     Fresh  vigour  seemed  to  inspire  every   exertion ; 
and  many  were  employed  in  bailing  the  water  from  the 
hatchway.     The  moments  appeared  as  hours,   and  dis- 
mal anxiety  was  depicted  upon  every  face. 

For  my  own  part,  I  gave  up  all  as  lost ;  and  while  not 
employed  in  pumping,  leaned  my  head  upon  a  part  of 
the  vessel ;  the  horrors  of  my  situatioii  fell  upon  my 
spirits  like  a  black  cloud.  I  could  not  pray ;  the  hea- 
vens appeared  like  brass;  the  earth  as  iron,  and  ray 
heart  as  a  nether  millstone.  The  ghosts  of  my  past  sins 
stalked  before  me  in  ghastly  forms;  and  a  sense  of  my 
disobedience,  folly,  and  wickedness,  stung  me  to  the 
quicic  Ah  me,  I  would  have  given  millions  of  worlds 
to  have  had  one  hope  of  mercy.  The  prospect  of  a  wa- 
tery grave,  and  a  plunge  into  a  still  deeper  gulf,  drank 
up  all  my  spirits.  I  was  petrified  to  stone ;  and  had 
scarcely  any  feelings  but  of  the  deepest  misery. 

In  this  state  of  mind  I  continued  till  the  appearance  of 
light.  O  welcome  light;  never  did  a  Greenlander  salute 
thee  with  more  gratitude;  never  did  a  Mexican  hail 
thee  with  greater  pleasure,  than  the  poor  forlorn  crew  of 
the  sinking  Amethyst  on  that  long- wished  for  morning. 


40 


lyiEMoms  ©F 


Reader,  if  ever  thou  hast  been  in  a  sinking  ship,  on  « 
dark  night,  and  stormy  ocean,  thou  mayest  realize  our 
feelings.  The  morning  dawned,  but  we  saw  no  land. 
All  was  again  gloomy  sadness  and  sullen  despair;  pale, 
silent  despondency  sat  upon  the  faces  of  the  officers ;  and 
some  of  the  men  wrapping  themselves  up  ia  their  ham- 
mocks,  with  stoical  apathy,  seemed  reconciled  to  a  m- 

tery  grave. 

It  was  not  supposed  that  the  ship  would  swim  more 
than  an  hour  longer;  every  lurch  brought  her  deeper  in 
the  water,  and  every  wave  seemed  the  one  commissioned 
to  ingulph  us  in  the  bowels  of  the  deep ;  when,  to  our 
inexpressible  satisfaction,  the  man  aloft  saw  the  island 
of  Alderney,  and  the  French  coast  of  Normandy; 
rocky  places,  but  there  was  some  prospect  we  might 
stick  on  some  of  them,  and  have  at  least  a  remote 
chanoe  for  our  lives. 

We  steered  towards  them  with  the  desperate  mt^^Qtion 

of  running  the  vessel  upon  the  nearest  reef,  let  the  risk 

of  going  to  pieces  be  never  so  great;  it  was  at  least  aa 

safe  an  alternative  as  sinking  to  the  bottom.    Happy  for 

us,  the  gale  was  in  our  favour  to  make  the  island.    Now 

Ijope  and  fear  by  turns  ruled  every  breast,  whether  slie 

would  strike  and  go  down,  or  stick  fast   among  the  dia- 

mal  crags.    Our  pilot  knowing  the  island,  carried  the 

sinking  frigate  as  clear  of  the  rocks  as  possible,  ti^ith* 

in  a  half  a  mile  of  the  shore,  when  the  swell  of  ^ligh- 

ty  billow  carried  her  with  terrible  impetuosity  upon  a 

hidden  reef:  this  was  the  criUcal   moment  of  our  fate, 

but  the  three  masts  cut  away,  another  sea  carried  m 

still  farther  upon  the  ledge,  where  we  stuck.     Awfully 

raked  by  the  tremendous  breakers  that  dashed  against 

our  bows,  which  by  means  of  our  last  anchor  and  cable 

had  been  brought  round  to  the  sea,  swept  our  decks  and 

covered  us  with  foam.    Being  upon  the  main-deck  when 

a  tremendous  wave  rushed  upon  us  over  the  forecastle, 


I 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


41 


ng  shipi  on  <a 
est  realize  out 
saw  00  land, 
despair;  pale, 
e  officers ;  and 
in  their  ham* 
iciled  to  a  wa> 

d  swim  more 

her  deeper  in 

commissioned 

when,  to  our 

saw  the  island 

r    Normandy; 

>ect   we  might 

east  a  remote 

terate  intimation 
ef,  let  the  risk 
^vas  at  least  as 
in.  Happy  for 
J  island.  Now 
8t,  whether  sire 
among  the  dis* 
id,  carried  the 
jsible,  tilLjvith. 
well  of  flbigh* 
tuosity  upon  a 
int  of  our  fate, 
sea  carried  us 
tuck.  Awfully 
dashed  against 
ichor  and  cable 

our  decks  and 
lain-deck  when 

the  forecastle, 


i 


and  knowing  I  should  be  swallowed  up  \ '»^''«J^;^^^^^^ 
rate  leap,  and  got  hold  of  the  boom  and  si*ars  ^  and  thus, 
by  the  mercy  ol  God,  was  saved  Irom  a  d;^'"^^ '*^^; 

We  made  repeated  signals  of  distress  to  the  inhabitdnts, 
vrho  were  now  collecting  upon  the  beach;   but  the  surf 
was  so  dangerous,  and  the  gale  so  high,  that  no  boa 
would  venture  to  our  relief;  the  only  one  we  had    lett 
(the  jolly-boat)   was   veered  away  astern  in   hopes  she 
might  reach  the  shore,  but  a  terrible  breaker  struck  her, 
and  dashed  her  to  shivers  in  an  instant.     Thus  our  lor- 
lorn  hope  was  nearly  destroyed,  and  our  situation  -ruly 
deplorable  ;   more  than  hall  a   mile  from  the  shore,  sur- 
rou.ided  atKl  almost  overwhelmed  by  furious  breakers. 
Had  the  ship  gone  to  pieces  in  this  crisis,   perhaps  not 
one  tenth  of  the  crew  would  have  been  saved;  but  mer- 
cy, rich,  boundless  mercy,  intended  for  most  of  us  a  long- 
er date.     Just  now  a  large  boat,  with  eight  stout  seamen* 
ventured  to  leave  the  pier  and  come  to  our   relief;  but 
alas,  before  they  had  long  left  the  shore,  a  furious  break- 
er rushing   forward   with  fatal  impetuosity,  rolled  over 
both  boat  and  men;  some  of  whom  sank  to  rise  no  more; 
the  rest  were  carried  by  the  same  wave  far  upon  the 
beach,  and  the  people  joining  hands,  rescued  them  from 
the  refluent  tide. 

In  this  situation  we  remained  from  eight  in  the  morn- 
ing till  three  in  the  afternoon;  when  the  sea  falling,  and 
the  tide  having  ebbed,  a  few  boats  ventured  from  4l» 
shore  to  our  assistance ;  and  coming  under  the  stern, ^* 
gave  them  a  hawser  and  other  ropes  to  make  fast  round 
the  rocks  on  shore ;  for  as  night  was  shutting  in  fast  upon 
us,  we  had  no  prospect  of  surviving  till  morning.  Wet, 
hungry,  cold,  and  exhausted  with  jiumping  the  preceding 
nighl,  and  repealed  exertions  through  the  day;  some 
ventured  upon  the  ropes;  but  as  this  was  at  best  both  a 
difficult  and  dangerous  task,  the  greater  part  continued 
on  board  till  the  surf  had  so  far  subsided  that  more  boats 
,  featured  under  our  stern,  and  we  dropt  one  by  one  into 

D  2 


X 


42 


MEMOIRS  OF 


them,  till  by  the  blessing  of  a  divine  and  gracious  Pro-    |f 
Tideuce,  we  all  got  safe  ashore.  ^ 

REFLECTIONS. 

It  might  be  supposed  that  such  a  tremendous  shipwreck 
and  merciful  deliverance  would  have  make  a  deep  and 
lasting  impression  on  my  foolish  heart,  and  the  hearts  of 
others.  Alas,  alas,  nothing  of  this  kind  took  place.  In- 
stead of  prayer,  thanksgiving,  and  gratitude,  the  night  of 
our  deliverance  was  spent  in  dancing,  riot,  and  druqken- 
ness.  Thus  did  we  wantonly  abuse  the  mercy  of  God, 
and  trifle  with  the  patience  that  spared  our  sinful  lives. 
But  when  did  mere  calamities  affect  the  obdurate  heart 
of  man,  till  touched  by  divine  grace  ?  Misfortunes  may 
overwhelm,  poverty  frown,  sickness  blast,  providence 
lower,  and  calamities  multiply;  but  the  fortress  of  har- 
dened, fallen  nature,  is  too  strong  to  fear  such  artillery; 
it  is  only  by  the  piercing  energies  of  the  Holy  Spirit  that 
the  human  heart  can  be  truly  penetrated  and  deeply 
softened. 

Is  there  a  thing  that  moves,  and  breaks 
A  hail  as  hard  as  stone? 
That  melts  a  heart  as  cold  as  ice? 
'Tis  Jcsu's  blood  atone. 

Bome  of  the  seamen  having  embarked  on  board  of  Sir 
Sidney  Smith's  ship,  the  Diamond,  a  little  prior  to  her 
being  captured  at  Havre  de  Grace,  the  remainder  with 
myself  were  left  on  the  Island,  which  at  this  time  was  in 
a  deplorable  situation  for  want  of  supplies.  Even  the 
little  garrison  of  invalids  were  in  a  starving  state.  At 
length  I  thought  if  no  one  else  would  take  care  of  me  I 
must  take  care  of  myself.  So  I  got  acquainted  with  the 
master  of  a  smuggling  vessel,  and  he  with  the  generosity 
worthy  a  seaman,  offered  to  carry  me  to  Lyme  in  Dor- 


o  ni<rii«  h«  pflmA.  And  nut  me  on  botrd 


il; 


JOSHUA  MARSDKN. 


49 


racious  Pro* 


us  shipwreck 
a  deep  and 
the  hearts  of 
i  place.     In- 
the  night  of 
lud  drunUen- 
ercy  of  God, 
sinful  lives. 
)durate  heart 
fortunes  may 
,    providence 
rtress  of  har* 
uch  artillery; 
ly  Spirit  that 
A  and  deeply 


1  board  of  Sir 
e  prior  to  her 
mainder  with 
is  time  was  in 
;s.  Even  the 
ag  state.  At 
i  care  of  me  I. 
inted  with  the 
the  generosity 
Lyme  in  Dor- 
me  on  board 


,i9  vessel,  in  which  I  was,  for  fear  of  discovery,  obliged 
,  b.  .towed  away  in  a  little  hole  under  the  torecastie. 
,here  I  had  to  continue  nearly  a  week,  lying  upon  a 
idamp  sail,  fed  by  the  mate,  who  sent  me  provisions  daily, 
Su  the  vessel  left  the  harbour,  and  then  I  was  gladly 
•^Ued  upon  deck.  After  being  chased  by  a  Revenue 
lutler,  and  having  had  to  moor  about  three  hundred 
[egs  of  brandy  in  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  we  arrived 

Lyme  in  Dorsetshire.  ,    ,      ,    ^. 

.  I  would  now  have  returned  home ;  but  I  had  only  three 
Jrench  crowns  in  the  world,  and  nearly  200  miles  to  tra- 
vel ;  and   having   no  clothes  but  those   on  my  back, 
^jacket  and  trowsers)  having  been  robbed  of  all  my  best 
ipparel  in  Alderney ;  and  withal,  being  afraid  of  the 
tress-gangs,  so  common  in  every  seaport  town  in  the 
;iingdom ;  hence  I   continued  in   the  neighbourhood  of 
tyme,  assisting,  as  opportunity  offered,  sometimes  the 
'"  lugglers,  and  afterwards  the  fishermen.     All  this  time 
..early  a  year)  I  was  never  but  once  in  a  place  of  wor- 
Slip;  indeed,  I  had  nearly   lost  all  sense  of  religion. 
Most  of  my  restraints  had  ceased  to  operate,  and  there 
■l^ere  few  vices  but  into  which  I  readily  volunteered,  or 
"  ras  easily  persuaded  to  plunge.    I  had  no  pious  parent 
iear  to  check  me;  1  saw  no  religion,  not  even  the  faint- 
[st  form,  among  my  acquaintances ;  the  impressions  of 
ly  childhood  were  well  nigh  erased ;  and  1  lived  lite- 
pilly-  without  God  in  the  world.     And  is  this,  ye  proud- 
learted  moralists,  the  being  naturally  inclined  to  good  ? 
las,  alas,  ye  vain  boasters  of  the  excellence,  the  recti- 
ide  of  human  life;  ye  deifiers  of  reason,  behold  the  pic- 
are  ;  without  divine  grace  preventingiJussisting,  and  di- 
•ecting  the  human  mind,  man  is  cart%,  sensual,  and 
Jevilish. 

I  have  much  cause  to  be  thankful,  that  during  this  dark 
ind  dismal  vacation  of  divine  influence,  my  mind  was 
lever  poisoned  with  deism,  or  warped  aside  by  the  infi- 
lel  writings  of  the  day.    1  was,  it  is  true,  immoral  and 


^( 


44 


MEMOIRS  OF 


wicked;  but  according  to  the  best  of  my  bad  notions,  I 
still  believed  the  word  of  God.  I  had  uo  doubt  but  reli- 
gion  was  true;  but  with  regard  to  myself,  I  cared  little 
about  it.  Yet,  wheu  writing  to  my  mother,  1  would 
still  use  religious  terms;  not  that  like  the  hypocritical 
cameleon,  I  was  willing  to  conform  myself  to  the  colour 
Of  the  nearest  object,  but  out  of  mere  respect  (Or  the 
feelings  and  sentimenis  of  my  pious  parent.  Perhaps  in 
a  similar  state  many  have  religious  terms  at  the  end  of 
their  pen,  and  beginning  of  their  letters,  who  have  them, 
alas,  nowhere  else.  However,  even  this  is  infinitely 
preferable  to  bold  faced  infidelity,  and  supercilious  con- 
tempt  of  the  word  of  God. 

During  the  summer  I  shipped  myself  in  a  large  cutler 
that  traded  to  \Vales,  and  now  again  thought  that  1  would 
give  myself  up  to  a  seafaring  life.     Ah,  my  God,  I  had  no 
thought  of  thee,  or  what  kind  of  life  would  bcBt  j»romote  thy 
glory.    The  sea  i&  thine,  and  the  land  is  thine,  but  1  chose 
neither  with  an  intent  to  please  thee;  thy  glory  was  not 
In  my  thoughts;  wild,  headstrong  desire,  reslless  anxiety, 
and  the  vain,  mad  hope  of  changing  my  pleasures  with 
my  place,  prompted  my  conduct.  My  ht^art  was  debased 
nor  was  there  a  sin  but  I  found  either  a  desire  or  an 
opportunity  to  commit.     On  the  mighty  ocean  1  did  not 
acknowledge  thy  hand;  on  shore  I  sought  only  the  grati- 
fication of  animal  appetites.     Few  have  such  opportuni- 
ties of  beholding  the  wonders  of  the  Lord  as  seamen; 
and  none  are  more  indifferent  to  the  operations  of  his 
power:  and  though  the  dangers  of  a  seafaring  life    can 
hardly  be  equalled  by  any  other,  yet  n  w  are  more  bar- 
deaed,  daring,  arid  fearless,  than  mariners. 

The  notbern  blast, 
The  shattered  mast. 

The  gyrt,  the  whirlpool,  Mid  the  rock) 

The  breaking  spout,  i 

The  staM  gone  out,  .  j-- 

The  homtg  streight,  the  monster's  shock,  Yoiimc. 


JOSHUA.  MARSDEN. 


45 


are  amOngst  the  many  dangers  to  which  they  are  continu- 
ally exposed.     Were  they  men  truly  pious,  how  dear  to 
the  confiding  mind  is  the  idea,  that  God  rides  in  the  whirl- 
wind, and  directs  the  storm ;  that  he  is  the  God  of  nature 
as  well  as  redemption.     All  the  elements  act  in  perrect 
obedience  to  his  will ;  he  makes  the  clouds  his  chariot, 
and  rideth  upon  (he  wings  of  the  wind.    The  forked  light- 
ning darts  at  his  command ;  there  are  no  random  shafts. 
The  dreadful  thunder  rolls  harmless  over  the  object  he 
preserves :  the  roaring  tempest,  and  the  mountainous  wave 
are  alike  under  his  control :  he  makes  the  sleeping  biK 
lows  roll,  the  rolling  billows  sleep.     Happy  is  the  man 
who  can  apply  in  times  of  danger  these  gracious  declara- 
tions ;  "  I  will  say  of  the  Lord,  he  is  my  refuge  and  my 
fortress :  in  him  will  I  trust.     Thou  shalt  not  be  afraid 
of  the  terror  by  night ;  nor  for  the  arrow  that  flieth  by 
day ;  nor  for  the  pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness ;  nor 
for  the  destruction  that  wasteth  at  noon-day:  Because 
thou  bast  made  the  Lord,  which  is  my  refuge,  even  the 
Most  High,  thy  habitation." 

I  do  not  know  whether  David  was  ever  at  sea,  but  I 
apprehend  both  from  Jonah's  account,  and  his,  that  sailors 
in  those  days  were  more  noted  for  fearing  God  than  at 
present.  It  is  true,  the  late  Lord  Nelson,  after  some  sig- 
nal victories,  ordered  thanksgiving  through  all  the  fleet; 
but  whether  his  Lordship  has  many  successors  in  this 
good  work,  I  will  not  at  present  determine. 

David,  who  has  justly  described  a  storm,  speaks  of  his 
mariners  c  ying  unto  the  Lord  in  their  trouble ;  "  tied 
maketh  the  storm  a  calm,  so  that  the  waves  thereof  are 
still ;  then  they  are  glad  because  they  be  quiet."  But  is 
this  the  case  among  modern  sailors  ?  I  am  afraid  not. 
I  have  been  at  sea  in  the  most  terrible  gales,  squalls, 
thunder-storms,  and  dangerous  lee- shores,  but  I  do  not 
recollect  any  praying:  they  are  glad  when  deliverance 
comes,  it  is  true;  but  how  is  this  manifested  ?  l.st.  By 
sisglsggGngs  j  2u.  By  drinking  grogi  3u.  By  dancing  ana 


,1.^.,.. 


4 


46 


^EMOIRS  OF 


/ 


capering;  «r>ifn.  By  raischier  and  roguery.  Thus  the 
meH;  that  /erf  all  others,  are  most  exposed  to  danger.*  and 
periI))M(^e  little  or  no  sense  of  moral  obli<;Htiuu.  I-  it 
bieoHlise  the  sea  hardens  men  more  than  the  land  ?  Or 
jHlat  the  sabbath  is  sadly  neglected  on  board  ofmo&t  ships ; 
nay,  wantonly  profaned  ?  Or  shall  we  say,  that  the  officers 
of  most  ships  are  profane  and  ungodly  ?  lb  there  a  shadow 
of  religion  on  board  of  the  generality  of  ships?  Were  the 
leading  characters  God-fearing  men,  there  is  no  doubt  but 
sailors,  who  are  frequently  open,  generous  hearted  souls, 
would  be  susceptible  of  divine  influence.  I  have  frequent- 
ly conversed  both  with  sailors  and  soldiers,  who  lamented 
this  dearth  of  piety  in  the  army  and  the  navy ;  alleging 
that  they  could  nit  reform  and  save  their  souls  on  account 
of  their  officers  being  some  of  them  so  infamous  for 
wickedness;  who,  should  they  see  any  seriousness  in  a 
private  man,  would  treat  him  with  derision,  cruelty,  and 
contempt.  It  is  greatly  to  be  lamented  that  ships  of  war 
are  so  destitute  of  the  means  of  piety.  Are  we  afraid 
that  the  defenders  of  our  nation  should  be  godly  men  ? 
Would  true  piety  make  them  less  diligent  and  faithful  ? 
Why  are  there  not  spiritual  chaplains  to  every  ship  ? 
Why  is  not  every  man  furnished  with  a  Bible  ?  Why  is 
not  divine  worship  statedly  attended  to  ?  Answer  these 
things,  ye  who  rule  our  naval  affairs  ;  but  1  am  afraid  not 
in  the  fear  of  God. 

Alter  making  a  few  trips  to  Wales  in  my  new  employ, 
I  met  with  a  circumstance  that  finally,  under  God,  was 
the  means  of  breaking  me  from  the  ocean,  and  dissolving 
the  chain  that  bound  me  to  a  seafaring  life.  We  had 
been  at  Tenby,  in  Wales,  and  were  returning  to  Bri<lport ; 
but  one  night  as  we  were  passing  the  Land's  End,  we  were 
brought  to  by  the  Amphitrite  frigate,  which  detained  us 
several  hours.  IHeanwhile  the  flood  tide  rolling  in  from 
the  south  west,  had  set  us  in  shore  more  than  the  mate, 
who  had  the  watch  upon  deck,  computed ;  hence,  after 
fsscl  saU  bvea  iiader  way  a  few  hoard. 


At.  - 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


47 


deck,  I  thought  I  saw  breakers  under  our  lee-bow,  dis- 
tance about  half  a  mile.  1  mentioned  tbis  to  tbe  mate, 
who  would  not  believe  me  ;  however,  we  prej^ared  to 
weHr  »hi(),  but  before  this  could  be  effected,  she  struck 
wilh  a  tremendous  crash  Ujion  the  rocks,  and  continued 
to  touch  and  run,  (as  the  sailors  phrase  it)  till  finally  ^he 
stuck  last.  The  captain,  (who  was  part  owner)  ran  upon 
deck  like  a  frantic  person,  crying,  "  1  am  ruined,  I  am 
ruined!  iny  vessel  ia  ashore!  my  vessel  is  ashore!'*  abu- 
sinjr  and  upbraiding  the  mate  as  the  cause  of  the  cala- 
mity. I,  who  was  more  intent  upon  saving  my  life  than 
thiuking  about  the  vessel,  cut  the  lashing  of  the  boat,  and 
h.ivinfj  made  fast  the  painter,  with  the  help  of  another 
hand,  launched  her  overboari).  The  captain  became 
more  composed ;  but  the  vessel,  on  the  roll  of  each  sea, 
struck  dismally;  and  had  there  been  much  wind,  would 
inevitably  have  gone  to  pieces,  as  she  was  deeply  laden. 
Fearing  she  would  beat  the  bottom  out,  we  got  the  sails, 
oar!<,  a  compass,  and  some  biscuit  in  the  boat ;  but  u|ion 
the  earnest  entreaties  of  the  captain,  we  agreed  not  to 
leave  the  vessel  till  daylight.  Meanwhile  the  mate  and 
myself  rowed  round  some  distance,  and  found  we  were 
completely  embayed  with  rocks,  save  the  narrow  chan- 
nel through  which  we  had  entered.  The  wind  having 
shifted  in  the  night,  now  blew  off  shore,  so  that  by  dny- 
light  the  tide  having  floated  us,  we  cut  the  cable  we  had 
carried  out  in  the  night,  and  filling  at  the  same  time  our 
jib,  got  the  vessers  head  round  to  the  sea ;  but  to  our  blank 
amazement,  when  the  mate  went  to  shift  the  helnj,  the 
rocks  had  cut  it  off  level  with  the  water's  •  edge.  Thus 
was  our  situation  truly  dismal;  ue  had  cut  our  anchor 
from  the  bows;  were  without  rudder  in  a  deeply  laden 
vessel :  and  added  to  our  other  calamities,  she  began  to 
leak  fast ;  the  wind  blew  off  shore,  with  fog  and  haze; 
and  should  the  vessel  have  gone  down,  our  little  boat 
would  hardly  have  carried  us  to  shore. 


48 


MEMOIRS  •? 


In  thU  flituation  we  continued  all  the  day,   pumping 
with  all  our  might,  and  firing  our  signal  gun,  to  let  any 
Teasel  that  might  pass  in  the  log  know  our  situation.    The 
land  was  shut  in,  and  fear  and  despondency,  exertion  and 
anxiety,  preyed  upon  all  our  minds.  Sometimes  we  would 
conclude   to  abandon  her  and  take  to  the    boat :    then 
again,  the  captain  would  encourage  our  hope  that  some 
Teasel  would  heave  in  sight.     And  just  before  night,  a 
fisherman  heard  our  gun,  and  bore  down  to  us,  and  hail- 
ingtoia  us  he  would  take  us  into  harbour  for  five  guineas; 
but  when  informed  we  had  no  rudder,  the  man   seemed 
panic  struck ;  however  the  captin  told  him,  that  if  he 
would  go  in  quest  of  some  vessel  that  could  tow  us  in,  he 
would  give  him  the  stipulated  sum.     The  man  was  not 
long  before  he  met  a  Revenue  Cutter,  which  he  apprized 
of  our  situation ;  and  the  captain,  with  the  humanity  of  a 
British  sailor,  came  to  our  assistance ;  and  taking  us  in 
tow,  sent  a  number  of  his  men  to  work  the  pumps,  and 
keep  the  vessel  from  sinking,  as  we  were  greatly  exhaust- 
ed, and  the  water  was  gaining  upon  us  fast.     They  suc- 
ceeded   in  getting  us  into    Catwater   near  Plymouth: 
thus  was  I  a  second  time  saved  from  the  ocean,  and  pre- 
served by  the  good  providence  of  a  long-suffering  God. 

Oft  has  the  sea  confessed  thy  power, 
And  given  me  back  at  thy  command } 
It  could  not,  Ixird,  my  life  devour, 
Safe  in  the  hollow  of  thine  hand. 

But  did  I  in  all  these  deliverances  acknowledge  thy 
goodness,  O  God,  my  presever  ?  Did  1  own  thy  hand,  and 
thankfully  adore  thy  power  ?  Did  I  say,  my  Go<l,  thou 
bast  preserved  me,  and  I  will  love  thee  ?  Alas,  I  did  not. 
1  was  a  wretch,  ungrateful  and  unclean ;  a  vile  rehel 
amidst  the  sweetness  of  thy  love;  a  rebel  amidst  the  thun- 
ders of  thy  law;  to  the  drawings  of  thy  Spirit  I  was  in- 
4sen8ible,  and  to  the  beauties  of  holiness  blind  and  benight- 


tA;  amifl 
amidst  da 
unreforme 
deaf  addei 
cd,  but  I 
had  ten  th 
p bounded 
.  ith  ein; 
moment, 
is  man?  1 
of  Satan, 

Ran{ 

Skim 

Lool 

AlH 

Thei 

Doe' 

Allt 

Rod 

The 

Gold 

Are 

Gold 

Marl 

And 

The 

And 

But 

Not 

Till 

And 

Thougl 
exposed  r 
yet  I  did 
when  she 
This  was 
ing  a  gal< 

finrit  'Brtlif 


'•'^m' 


Joshua  marsden. 


4« 


led^je  tliy 
h»nd,  and 
ifcxl,  thou 
I  did  nut. 
I'ile  rebel 
the  thun- 
I  was  in- 
i  benight* 


»i 


pumping 
I  let  any 
on.  The 
rtion  and 
«re  would 
it :  then 
hat  some 

night,  a 
and  hail- 
guineas  ; 
1  seemed 
lat  if  he 
us  in,  he 
w&a  not 

apprized  *  V| 
inity  ola 
ing  us  in 
mps,  and 
exhaust* 
'hey  sue* 
lymoiith : 
,  and  pre- 
ing  God. 


^;  amidst  change*  my  heart  remained  unchanged; 
amidst  dangers  unniored,  amidst  calamities  and  mercies 
unrel'ornied.  Thy  voice  called  me,  but  I  was  as  the 
deaf  adder  and  the  wild  ass's  coU ;  thy  goodness  water- 
ed, but  I  was  a  barren  fig-tree.  I  did  not  pray,  though  I 
had  ten  thousand  reasons ;  1  did  not  praise,  though  my  life 
» bounded  with  mercies;  I  did  not  repent,  though  laden 
with  ein;  nor  fear  thy  wrath,  though  exposed  to  it  every 
moment.  Weil  might  the  royal  Psalmist  cry  out,  What 
is  man?  A  monster  of  ingratitude;  adupe  of  i'olly ;  a  tool 
of  Satan,  and  a  slave  of  sin. 

Range  the  wide  world,  explore  the  ocean  round, 

Skim  tlie  blue  sky,  or  pierce  tlie  solid  ground  j 

Look  every  page  of  nature's  volume  through, 

All  things  examine,  and  all  creatures  view  i 

Then  say,  and  prove  the  assertion,  if  you  can, 

Does  aught  in  nature  equal  such  a  man  ? 

All  things  submit  to  a  superior  force, 

Rocks  wear  away,  and  rivers  change  their  course : 

The  firmest  marble,  and  the  brightest  ore, 

Gold  of  Peru,  or  gems  of  Visiapour, 

Are  meekly  passive :  all  some  force  obey  ; 

Gold  will  dissolve,  and  diamonds  melt  away ; 

Marble  obeys  the  chisel  and  the  saw, 

And  solar  beams  a  rock  of  ice  will  thaw: 

The  flaming  forge  o'ercomcs  well  temperM  steel, 

And  flinty,  glass  is  fashioned  at  the  wheel  j 

But  man's  rebellious  heart  no  power  can  bend. 

No  flames  can  soften,  no  concussions  rend, 

Till  the  pure  Spirit  soften,  pierce,  and  melt, 

And  the  warm  blood  is  on  the  conscience  felt. 

Though  the  difficulties  and  dangers  to  which  I  had  been 
exposed  made  a  seafaring  life  appear  extremely  irksome, 
yet  I  did  not  know  well  how  to  leave  the  vessel ;  hencd 
when  she  was  repaired  1  made  andther  tr»[j  to  Wales.; 
This  was  hardly  less  dangerous  than  the  former;  for  meet* 
ing  a  gale  of  wind  olTthe  Land's  End,  we  sprang  oiir  how- 


22ltZZrCK?S2,    USSU    TTSIU    aVlSiV   ViUUVUSi 


£ 


^ 


50 


MEMOIRS  OF 


l!l# 


harbour  of  St.  Ives.  After  we  left  this  we  got  entangled 
with  the  Caermartben  Aands ;  and  as  the  veeeel  did  not 
stay  well,  and  in  some  trim  would  hardly  wear,  we  nar- 
rowly escaped  running  on  some  dangerous  flboals  in  a 
Tery  dark  night. 

Now,  for  the  first   time  since  I  had  come  to  sea,  1 
kneeled  down  to  pray.     It  was  my  watch  to  look  oul 
ahead;  no  one  was  near;  I  could  neither  be  seen  nor 
heard  for  the  noise  of  the  wind  and   sea ;  1  begged  of 
God  to  bring  me  safe  to  land,  and  I  would  serve  him  to 
the  best  of  my  ability.     But  I  had  no  knowledge  of  thy 
pure  ^spiritual  service,  O  God  of  light  and  purity ;  ab- 
staining from  outward  sin,  and  going  to  church,  were,  in 
Biy  poor  views,  the  essential  parts  of  religion  ;  to  which 
I  would  add,  living  a  decent,  moral,  orderly  life.     The 
renewal  of  the  nature,  faith  working  by  love,  the  opera- 
tions of  the  Holy  Spirit,  inward  purity,  zeal,  patience, 
meekness,  and    heavenly-mindedness,    were   things  of 
■which  1  had  no  conception.     Alas,  how  is  vital  internal 
religion  overlooked  by  thousands  who  profess  the  name 
of  Jesus;  who  live  decent,  regular  lives;  are  honest, 
sober,  temperate,  diligent,  and  punctual,  but  devoid  of 
the  graces  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  power  of  experimental 
gcdiiness. 

Ah,  where  that  humble,  Belf-abasing  mind,- 

With  that  confiding  spirit,  shall  we  find, 

Tbnt  feels  the  useful  psun  repentance  brings, 

Dejection's  sorrows,  and  contrition's  sting*. 

And  then  the  hope  that  heaven  these  irriefs  approve, 

And  lastly,  joy,  that  springs  from  pard'ning love  ?    CrabBK. 

We  arrived  the  next  day  at  Tenby,  and  as  soon  as  the 
vessel  was  got  into  the  pier,  and  the  captain  and  mate 
gone  ashore,  I  silently  packed  up  some  of  my  things, 
and  put  on  a  suit  of  long  clothes  I  had  bought,  and  set 
off  on  foot  to  travel  the  whole  length  of  Wales  to  the 


City 


^      -rt »•      l_i 1    I JI,1     1       P^^l     t^    U^ 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


61 


entangled 
lel  did  not 
p,  we  nar- 
iioals  in  a 

to  sea,  I 
)  look  oul 
:  seen  nor 
begged  of 
rve  him  to 
Ige  of  thy 
(urity ;  nb- 
1,  were,  in 
;  to  which 
life.     The 

the  opera- 
I  patience, 

things  of 
:al  internal 
I  the  name 
kre  honest, 
;  devoid  of 
periinental 


rove, 

e  ?    Crabbk. 

soon  as  the 
n  and  mate 
my  things, 
;ht,  and  set 
rales  to  the 


r^.i  i.^  u« 


once  more  on  shore.    If  I  had  but  little  money,  1  hafl 
health  and  spirits.     The  world  was  all  before  n^e,  where 
to  choose  my  place  of  rest ;  and  Providence  my  guide. 
After  passing  through  Pembrokeshire,  part  of  Cardi- 
ganshire, Merionethshire,   and    Denbighshire,  I  arrived 
at  the  city  of  Chester,  and  narrowly   escaped   getting 
pressed.     What  a  mockery  is  the  name  of  liberty  where 
such  a  gross  violation  of  human  rights  prevails.     We  may 
talk  of  our  well-lramed  constitution,  our  magna  charta^ 
habeas  corpus,  or  whatever  else  we   please ;  but   while 
there  is  a  press-gang  in  our  streets,  freedom  is  a  fancy ; 
liberty  is  a  dream;  and  the  pillars  of  our  lovely  constitu- 
tion, repeatedly  undermined  by  this  palpable  infraction  of 
the  rights  of  man,  niay  in  the  end  fall,  and  bury  the  whole 
nation  beneath  the  ruins  of  liberty,  justice,  and  equal 

laws. 

As  I  felt  an  utter  aversion  to  going  again  to  sea,  there 
18  hardly  an  evil  I  would  not  have  endured  rather  than 
that  of  being  pressed.  I  had  seen  enough  of  the  ocean 
to  make  me  heartily  tired  of  it ;  and  after  much  reflec- 
tion and  many  years  experience,  1  am  persuaded  that  a 
seafaring  life  is  of  all  otbf  ra  the  most  uncomfortable  and 
dangerous,  immoral  id  hardened.  There  may  be  pi- 
ous sailors,  and  Y  have  known  a  few ;  but  in  general, 
the  piety  of  a  snip  and  a  prison  may  be  coupled 
together. 

I  am  fully  convinced,  that  both  the  army  and  the  navy 
in  their  present  state  are  painfully  unfavourable  to  Chris- 
tian morals.  Let  any  one  read  Mr.  Cowpe^'s  animated 
description  of  the  progress  of  vice  in  a  raw  recruit,  an 
account  as  true  as  it  is  painful,  and  he  will  be  convin» 
ced  the  army  is  not  the  best  place  for  a  serious  person. 

The  life  of  a  sailor  is  a  life  of  wo.  It  is  true  he  is 
bold  and  cheerful ;  but  then  he  is  thoUghtlesb,  profane, 
«nd  desperate;  he  is  generous,  but  dissolute;  playful, 
but  sui^rstitious  and  rash.  His  song,  his  bumper,  and 
Ms  eirK  f  nerhans  a  street-oacins  harlot,^  form  hia  trio  of 


* 


S2 


MEMOIRS  OF 


pleasure.    He  rarely  thinks,  seldom  reads,  and   nerer 
prays.     His  life  is  in  jeopardy  every   hour,  and  yet  he 
laughs  at  the  idea  of  death,  and  deems  it  an  insult  to  be 
told     that  he  fears  it.      He  justifies    his   profaneness 
by  necessity,  and  his  neglect  of  religion  by  a  marine 
joke.     Speak  to  him  of  the  call  of  God,  he  tells  you  some- 
thing about  the  boatswain's  call}  tell  him  of  the  danger 
of  being  drowned,  he  cites  a  profane  song,  and  tells  ol  a 
sweet  little  cherub  that  sits  up  aloft,  and  looks  out  for  a 
birth  for  poor  Jack.     He  is  the  victim  of  tyrants  at  sea, 
and  the  dupe  of  knaves  and  harlots  on  shore.    He  la- 
bours like  a  horse,  and  spends  his  money  like  the  me- 
rest prodigal.    I  was  told  by  lieutenant  M— r,  in  the 
Somers  Islands,  that  having  to  fetch  some  seamen  on 
board  who  bad  been  drinking  and  carousing,  one  of  them 
seemed  particularly  sullen  and  unwilling  to  go ;  but  the 
officer  insisting,  he  took  several  guineas  from  his  pocket, 
and  jerking  them  into  the  sea,  went  into  the  boat  as  gay 
and  blithe  as  a  laik.     When  on  board,  where  they  caa- 
not  spend  it,  they  set  no,  value  on,  property,  and  will  ha^ 
zard  a  watch  or  a  pair  of  silver  buckles  on  the  turn  of  a 
card  or  the  cast  of  a  die  as  freely  as  a  button.     Thus 
these  useful,  but  immoral  men,  frequently  trifie  on  till  a 
fall  from  the  yard,,  a  gust  of  wind,  a  fatal  bullet,  a  yel> 
low  fever,  dismal  shipwreck,  or  a  tremendous  wave^  hur* 
Ties  them  into  eternity. 

My  friend,  whoever  thou  art  that  readest  this,  if  thou 
hast  one  spark  of  grace,  one  sentiment  of  piety,  the  least 
shade  of  godly  fear,  or  the  remotest  hope  of  being  a  Chrig- 
tian,  do  not  go  to  sea.  At  sea  the  sabbath  is  hardly 
known,  the  gospel  is  not  heard,  prayers  are  not  offered 
up,  reading  the  scripture  is  not  attended  to,  thy  compani- 
ons are  wicked,  and  thy  calling  will  expose  thee  to  be 
wicked  also. 


m 


My  re 
WHb  affec 
anxiety, 
derstandi 
me — mei 
trap  theii 
Had  thej 
I  had  no 
their  pov 
of  war. 
distant;  I 
rously  dis 
myself  sa 
a  countr 
my  nativ 

On  my 
with  wIk 
tie  con  € 
requestec 
had  to  pi 
complied 
without 
new  acqi 

I  had 
other  dis 
sheep  res 
the  word 
preachin 
covereth 
and  tors; 
dvveit  mi 
qaity,  ai 


^OSialDiiMXRlifDEN. 


53 


ad   neiet 
d  yet  he 
ksult  to  be 
ofaneness 
a  marine 
you  some- 
he  danger 
I  tells  or  a 
B  out  for  a 
its  at  sea, 
i.    He  la- 
B  the  me- 
•— r,  Id  the 
eamen  on 
le  of  them 
» ;  but  the 
lis  pocket, 
[)at  as  gay 
they  call' 
id  wili  hai- 
i  turn  of  a 
»D.    Thus 
eon  till  a 
let,  a  yel> 
wavC)  hur- 

lis,  if  thou 
r,  the  least 
Dg  a  Chris- 
is  hardly 
not  otfered 
/  compaui- 
thee  to  be 


CHAPTER  III. 


JVIy  return  home  and  interview  with  my  dear  mothet 
WHb  affectionate  and  joyful,  but  this  soon  gave  place  to 
anxiety.  There  were  marines  in  town,  and  these  un- 
derstanding 1  had  been  at  sea,  wished  to  take  a  liking  to 
me— mercenary  wretches  many  of  them,  who  would  en- 
trap their  own  fatlier  for  the  paltry  sum  of  half  a  guinea. 
Had  they,  as  they  intended,  got  me  into  their  clutches, 
I  had  no  wealthy  jelations  at  hand  to  rescue  me  from 
their  power,  and  prevent  my  being  sent  on  board  a  man 
of  war.  1  had,  intleed,  a  rich  uncle  some  sixteen  miles 
distant;  but  rich  uncles  are  not  always  the  most  gene- 
rously disposed  towards  poor  nephews.  So,  not  thinking 
myself  safe,  1  left  home,  and  went  to  an  acquaintance  at 
a  country  village,  about^eleven  miles  from  the  place  of 
my  nativity. 

On  my  way  I  happened  to  overtake  an  elderly  woman 
with  whom  I  had  been  formerly  acquainted.  After  a  lit- 
tle con  ersation  she  invited  me  to  her  house,  and  withal 
requested  me  that  evening  to  ^o  and  hear  a  preacher,  who 
had  to  preach  in  the  village,  (Radcliff  Bridge.)  1  readily 
complied  with  the  good  woman's  invitation,  not,  however, 
without  reflecting  upon  the  probabilily  of  forming  some 
new  acquaintance. 

I  had  often  been  to  hear  the  Methodists,  as  well  aa 
other  dissenters,  but  all  pastors  are  alike  to  wandering 
sheep  resolveil  to  follow  none:  however,  on  that  evening 
the  word  made  a  deeper  impression  on  my  mind  than  any 
preaching  1  had  ever  heard.  The  text  was,  "  Whoso 
covereth  his  sins  shall  not  prosper,  but  he  that  confesseth 
and  iorsaketh  them  shall  find  mercy."  The  preacher 
dwelt  much  tipnn  living  in  the  practice  of  concea'eis  jnl= 
qaityj  and  the  danger  and  fatal  consequences  of  such 

E  2 


t.- 


^4 


MEMOIRS  OF 


condact.  To  me  the  reasoning  appeared  clear  and  just; 
some  parts  came  home  to  my  case,  especially  the  arts 
young  people  use,  and  falsehoods  they  tell,  to  deceive 
each  other;  assuming  the  appes ranee  of  friendship,  af* 
fection,  and  esteem,  to  varnish  over  the  wicked  purpose 
of  deceiving  and  seducing  an  unsuspecting,  and  probably, 
confiding  young  female.  He  dwelt  particularly  upon  the 
different  appearance  people  put  on  to  cover  ihp'r  vices, 
and  especially  aflfecting  to  virtues  opposite  to  their 
character. 


■'tj^-'' 


Hence,  secret  scorn  and  sick'ning  envy  smile, 
Their  thoughts  are  daggers,  but  their  words  are  oil . 
See  pride  beneath  a  lowly  aspect  sneak  j 
The  light  look  solemn,  and  the  brutal  meek  j 
Base  lust  the  winning  form  of  love  affect, 
And  malice  wear  the  semblance  of  respect. 

Light  flashed  upon  my  mind  as  the  preacher  reasoned, 
and  1  felt  within  my  conscience  a  confirmed  impression 
that  I  was  wrong,  and  greatly  exposed  to  the  displeasure 
of  the  Almighty  on  account  of  my  sins.  But  though  1 
was  tired  of  wandering,  and  felt  some  desires  tc  fall  up- 
oa  at  least  as  much  religion  as  would  satisfy  my  con* 
science,  without  too  much  restricting  my  inclinations; 
being  naturally  volatile,  fond  of  company,  and  withal 
trifling,  the  idea  of  true  piety,  in  its  self-denying  and 
{)lea6ure  hating  austerity,  was  by  no  means  pleasing  to 
my  mind :  in  sooth,  1  wished  for  religion  to  satisfy  my 
conscience,  and  pleasure  to  gratify  my  passions. 

Alas,  how  many  in  the  world  say,  suffer  it  thus  far. 
They  come  to  the  very  borders  of  flesh-crucifying  reli- 
gion, and  then  stop.  Nay,  they  even  contend  that  most 
of  the  follies  and  amusements  of  the  day  are  not  only 
pjerfectly  innocent,  but  even  consistent  with  religion. 
Thus  they  make  an  easy  transit  from  the  temple  to  the 
theatre,  from  the  ball-room  to  the  sacrament,   and   the 


-j%m..mA   i«UI« 


*U^ 


M^^vknnA #«^%.«    Cr^M   iB«rAiti«nrp  rirnvoPA. 


VwIU'lAiJiV  *B   iUw    |;iV|Jainw.VM   £Vi    ^TVjfswg  I'si?^' 


1 

and  just; 
the  arts 
I  deceive 
Iship,  af' 
1  purpose 
probably, 
upon  the  |^ 
p'v  vices, ;. 
to    their ' 


.11. 


reasoned, 
npreeeion 
ispleasure 
though  1 
to  fail  up- 
my  con- 
linations; 
nd  withal 
ying  and 
leasing  to 
atisfy  my 

i. 

;  thus  far. 

ying  reli- 

that  most 
not  only 
religion. 

pie  to  the 
and  the 


JOSHUA  MARSDBN.  5i}. 

Through  every  folly,  thick  and  thin  they  dash  on, 

But  doubt  tlieir  piety  you  raise  their  passioa : 

Shall  we  be  stitf,  precise,  and  singular  ? 

What  needs  so  much  ado,  such  pious  stir? 

Religion,  you  mistake,  it  cannot  need 

Monastic  rigours  to  support  the  creed. 

Away  with  all  your  gloomy,  catting  stuff, 

A  little  piety  is  well  enough ; 

A  sweetly,  mild,  conciliating  plan, 

Form'd  to  delight,  not  cauterize  the  man. 

But  he  that  sets  stem  reprobation's  seal 

On  every  gay  and  fashionable  ill. 

Tissues  his  gloomy  notions  with  a  frown, 

Then  runs  all  sprightly,  sweet-ey'd  pleasures  down) 

Is  narrow,  rigid,  righteous  overmuch. 

And  bedlam  te  the  fittest  place  for  such. 

i  .fccollect  while  I  was  on  a  mission  in  the  Somera 
Islands,  I  had,  at  their  earnest  desire,  admitted  several 
reputable  young  ladies  to  the  Lord's  table,  btit  after  a 
little  while,  hearing  that  they  had  h-i- .  persuaded  to  go 
to  a  ball,  1  thought  it  my  duty  to  a^^priie  them,  that  I 
eould  not  again  admit  them  to  the  same  privilege,  and 
warned  any  who  attended  the  foolish  amusements  of  the 
world,  not  to  come  at  the  peril  of  their  souls.     My  con- 
duct, in  this  instance,  gave  high  offence;  notes  and  let- 
ters were  sent  me  to  give  explanations  ol  my  measures  5 
threats  and  menaces  followed  each  other,  and  indirect 
challenges  were  sent;  1  was  the  worst  man  in  the  world, 
80  rigid,  so  uncharitable,  that,  according   to  my  plan, 
no  one  could  be  saved.    What,  expel  a  young  lady  from 
the  Lord's  table  for  following  the  innocent,  respectable 
amusement  of  her  wiser  frien  U  and  venerable  forefathers, 
who  had  established  balls  in  the  island  time  immemorial  ? 
This  was  not  to  be  borne,  I  should   be  made  to  suffer 
for  my  conduct.   Some  said  that  I  was  a  gloomy  fanatic, 
and  others  wished  they  could  saw  their  subscription  ont 
of  the  chapel. 


d6 


^£7dOlttS  OP 


Upon  the  stibject  of  duncing,  I  would  6ay,  qui  bono,  of 
^bat  me  is  it?  Has  it  the  remotest  tendency  to  glorify 
God  ?  Is  it  a  seriouB,  rational,  and  innocent  practice? 
Would  a  transit  from  the  ball-room  to  the  bar  of  God  be 
at  all  pleasant  ?  O,  but  it  is  an  amusement !  And  under 
this  idea  grave  men  have  delentied  that  which  kills 
time,  dissipates  the  mind,  seduces  to  vice,  and  finally  ^' 
plunges  into  perdition  thousands  of  gay,  thoughtless, 
volatile,  young  persons. 

Thus  when  a  christian  minister  exhibits  the  cross,  his 
foes  take  fire,  his  friends  get  alarmed,  and  it  is  ten  to  one 
but  his  own  household  will  become  his  enemies.  But  to 
return ; 

I  did  not  think  that  to  laugh,  trifle,  and  sing  foolish 
songs,  was  improper.  I  loved  dancing  and  other  amuse- 
ments, which,  by  the  by,  appeared  quite  harmless.  How 
faint  and  glimmering  is  the  light  th<\t  beams  upon  the  car. 
nal  mind.  The  grossest  sins  may  indeed  appear  wrong, 
but  dim  and  remote  are  seen  the  evils  of  the  heart. 
Pride,  anger,  concupiscence,  unbelief,  eovetousness,  and 
ingratitude,  are  hardly  noticed.  It  is  the  sun  alone  that 
discovers  all  objects;  the  starlight  of  reason,  and  the 
taperlight  of  science  may  discover  enormities ;  but  till 
the  Sun  of  righteousness  shine  upon  the  soul,  the  heart 
is  callous,  and  the  mind  is  dark. 

The  sermon  I  heard  had  nevertheless  a  good  effect  up- 
on  my  conduct ;  I  discontinued  several  profane  and  im- 
proper things,  and  thought  1  would  in  some  di^gree  re- 
form my  life,  for  I  was  still  ignorant  that  any  more  was 
necessary  than  a  well  regulated  exterior.  Heart  religion 
did  not  then  enter  into  my  views,  nor  did  1  know  that 
such  a  thing  was  necessary. 

I  rested  in  the  outward  law, 

Nor  kuew  its  deep  desig;a : 

The  length  and  breadth  1  aever  saw,. 

Nor  heiffht  of  lore  divine.  WATTs. 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


57 


)ui  bono,  of 
>  to  glorify 
it  pructice? 
'  of  God  be 
And  under 
i\hich  kills 
and  finally 
houghtless, 

e  cross,  his 
ten  to  one 

es.     But  to 

sing  foolish 
[her  amuse- 
less.  How 
)on  the  car- 
ear  wrong, 
the  heart, 
usness,  and 
I  alone  that 
I,  and  the 
cs ;  hut  till 
,  the  heart 

[]  effect  up- 
le  and  im* 

degree  re- 
'  more  was 
art  religion 

know  that 


How  blind  and  foolish  was^  I  to  suppose  that  any  thing 
less  than  the  heart  can  be  acceptable  to  the  great  God; 
without  the  surrender  and  renovation  of  this,  prayer  la 
mere  babbling,  faith  is  a  fable,  and  zeal  a  strange  fire 
offered  upon  God's  altar. 

About  this  time  I  was  introduced  by  a  young  man  m- 
to  a  company  of  pious  females,  who   apj.eared  to  feel 
such  an  interest  in  my  welfare,  as  made  a  deep  and  last- 
ing  impression  on  my  mind.     They  requested  to  join  m 
prayer :  this  wa«  perfectly   novel  to  me ;  for  1  hardly 
knew  that  there  was  a  praying  woman  in  the  world  be- 
Bide«  my  own  mother.   I  was  much  pleased,  affected,  and 
benefited,  by  their  devout  conduct  and  pious  conversa- 
tion.    Perhaps  nothing  in  the  world  has  a  greater  ten- 
dency  to  recommend  and  set  off  piety,  than  the  conduct 
of  an  amiable  and  serious  female.     Some  wretches,  with 
Pope  the  poet  at  tlieir  head;  accustomed  only  to  contem- 
plate women  through  the  medium  of  a  Mabomedan  oi)in- 
ion,  have  asserted,  that  every   womaais  at  heart  a  rake. 
But  history^  the  faiJhful  Mirror  of  huraan  actions,  pre- 
9ent«  to  our  view  an  infinite  number  of  most  worthjt 
pioua,  and  dignified  females;  as  eminent  for  talents  i?nd 
learning  as  they  were  exemplary  for  religion  and  purity 

of  mannere. 

The  talents  of  women,  says  an  eminent  writer,"  begaft 
only  in^the  reign  of  queen  Bliaabeth  to  be  held  In  a  pro- 
per degree  of  consideration.  As  women,  they  were  ad- 
mired and  courtedj  but  they  scarcely  could  be  said  to 
participate  in  the  society  of  men:  in  fact,  the  manner* 
of  our  forefather*,  before  that  reign,  were  loo  rough  for 
them  In  Wales  wives  were  sold  to  their  husbands ;  in 
Scot  and  women  could  not  appear  as  evidences  in  a  court 
of  justice.  In  the  time  of  Henry  VIII.  an  act  was  pasi- 
ed  prohibiting  women  and  apprentices  from  reading  the 


.■■■■i^ 


Watts. 


♦  Barrow. 


sn 


MEMOIRS  OF 


<3# 


New  Testament  in  the  English  language.  Among  the 
polished  Greeks  they  were  held  in  little  estimation.  Ho- 
mer degrades  all  his  females;  he  makes  the  Grecian 
Princesses  weave  the  web,  spin,  and  do  all  the  drudgery 
of  modern  washwomen;  and  rarely  allows  them  any 
share  of  social  intercourse  with  the  other  sex;  yet  the 
Tery  foundation  on  which  he  has  constructed  his  two 
matchless  poems  are  women. 

It  appears  also  from  all  the  dramatic  writers  of  an<  | 
cient  Greece,  whose  aim   was  to  hold,  as  it  were,  the 
mirror  up  to  nature,  to  show  the  very  age  and  body  of  i 
the  time,  its  form   and  pressure,  that,  notwithstanding 
their  extreme  delicacy  of  taste  and  rapid  progress  in  the 
fine  arts,  their  manners  were  low  and  coarse ;  and  that 
they  were  entire  strangers  to  any  other  gratification  ari* 
sing  from  the  society  of  women  than  the  indulgence  of  the 
sensual  appetite.    Even  the  grave  Herodotus  mentions 
in  the  highest  terms  of  approbation,  the  custom  of  Baby- 
Ion  in  selling  by  auction,  on  a  certain  fixed  day,  all  the 
young  women  who  had  any  pretensions  to  beauty,  in ' 
order  to  raise  a  sum  of  money  for  portioning  the  rest  of  | 
the  females  to  whom  nature  had  been  less  liberal  in  be« 
stowing  her  gifts,  and  who  were  knocked  down  to  those 
who  Were  satisfied  to  take  them  with  the  least  mo* 
ney. 

This^^gradation  of  women  would  seem  to  be  as  impo< 
litic  as  it  is  extraordinary ;  since  under  their  guidance, 
the  earliest  and  sometimes  the  most  indelible,  (I  believe 
1  may  safely  add,  the  best  and  most  amiable,)  impres- 
sions are  stamped  on  the  youthful  mind.  In  infancy 
their  protection  is  indispensably  necessary ;  and  in  sick- 
ness or  in  old  age,  they  unquestionably  afford  the  best 
and  kindest  relief;  or,  as  a  French  author  has  neatly 
observed,  Sans  les  femmes  Us  deux  extremiies  de  la  vie 
seraietU  sans  secmirs,  et  le  milieu  sans  plaisirs.  **  With* 
©ut  women,  the  two  extremities  of  life  would  be  help^ 
less,  and  the  middle  of  it  joyless." 


JOSIICA  MARSDEJf. 


59 


To  a  woman,  says  Mr.  Ledyard,  I  never  addressed 
myself  in  the  language  of  decency  and  friendship,  with- 
out receiving  a  decent  and  friendly  answer.  If  I  were 
hungry  or  thirsty,  wet  or  sick,  they  did  not  hesitate, 
like  men,  to  perform  a  generous  action.  In  so  free  and 
kind  a  manner  did  they  contribute  to  my  relief,  that  if  I 
were  dry,  I  drank  the  sweetest  draught ;  and  if  hungry, 
I  ate  the  coarsest  morsel  with  a  double  relish. 

Place  the  white  man  on  Afric's  coast, 

Whose  swarthy  sons  in  blood  delight  3 
Who  of  their  scorn  to  Europe  boast, 

And  paint  their  very  demons  white. 

There,  while  the  sterner  sex  disdains 

To  soothe  the  woee  they  cannot  feel, 
Woman  will  ettrive  to  heal  his  pains, 

And  weep  for  those  she  cannot  heal. 

Hers  is  warm  pity's  sacred  glow, 

From  all  her  stores  she  bears  a  part, 
And  bids  the  spring  of  hope  reflow, 

That  languish'd  in  the  fainting  heart. 

Thus  in  extremes  of  cold  and  heat, 

Where  wand'ring  man  may  trace  his  kindj 

Wherever  grief  and  want  retreat. 
In  woman  they  compassion  find. 

Man  may  the  sterner  virtues  know, 

Determin'd  justice,  truth  severe. 
But  female  hearts  with  pity  glow, 

And  woman  holds  affliction  dear. 

To  woman's  gentle  hand  we  owe,  / 

What  comforts  and  delig;^t8  us  here} 
They  its  gay  hopes  on  youth  bestow, 

And  care  they  soothe,  and  age  they  cheer. 


'i^r^: 


'*j 


^  ■ 


'<£!rabbe. 


For  my  own  part,  I  hardly  think  it  an  exaggerated  cal- 
culation to  suppose,  that  there  may  be  one-third  more 
pious  females  in  the  world  than  males.    No  one  caB 


60 


M1£M01R5  OF 


deny  that  women  were  employed  in  the  firat  propagaliou 
of  the  gospel.  Paul  aayB,  "  Help  those  women  that  la- 
boured  with  me  in  the  gospel."  Phoebe  was  a  deaconess, 
Priscilla  was  an  helper  of  her  husband;  Mary,  Dorcas, 
Lydia,  and  the  beloved  Kuria,  mentioned  by  St.  John, 
all  seem  to  have  been  distinguished  females.  We  might 
mention  many  whose  piety,  if  not  labours,  has  been  an 
ornament  to  religion,  an  honour  to  society,  and  a  bleaa- 
ing  to  the  world. — To  return. 

After  the  evening  spent  with  the  pious  females  men- 
tioned  above,  I  became  resolved  to  neglect  no  opporttmi. 
ty  of  hearing  the  word  of  God.  which  began  to  have  a  ' 
blessed  effect  upon  my  mind,     ^left  off  singing  profane 
songs  from  a  conviction  of  its  being  wrong;  and,  strange 
to  tell!  though  I  knew  perhaps  several  scores  of  love, 
hunting,  sea,  and  war  songs,  they  all  went  from  me  in  tlie 
most  singular  manner;   and  those  hymns  which  1   had 
learned  in  infancy,  though  they  had  been  forgotten  sevc.al 
years,  returned  to  my  mind.     I  had  indeed,  by  venlur- 
ing  into  the  company  of  some  giddy  young  people  nearly 
made  shipwreck  of  my  good  impressions;  but  God,  who 
saw  my  wavering  and  undecided  will,  consigned  me  over 
to  affliction.     A   complaint  in  my  throat,  for  which  I 
could  give  no^account  nor  get  any  relief,  now  seized  me.  I 
had  always  been  healthy,  and  this  affliction,  conning  at 
this  pl^ular  crisis,  was,  I  have  no  doubt,  from  the 
Lord's  hand.    It  made  the  impressions  1  had  received 
more  deep;  it  alarmed  me  extremely,   and  drove  me  to 
prayer;  it  excited  in  my  mind  a  most  earnest  desire  to 
know  the  right  way  ;  like  a  powerful  caustic,  it  burned 
up  my  sensual  desires,  drew  a  veil  over  the  vanities  of 
the  world,  and  opened  so  fully  the  awfulness  of  dying 
without  an  interest  in  Christ,  that  my  «oul  breathed  and 
struggled  continually  for  vital  hope  and  divine  peace. 

I  ventured  to  accept  an  invitation  to  class- meeting; 
all  tlmigs  appeared  new  to  me.  I  looked  with  singular 
«*^s£»ttAi<m  -nnnn  4itA  lAttdAii   mwtA  ihoiiorht  fhft   meetine 


truly  an(] 

affected, 

volets.     1 

minutely 

among  th 

Great  Bri 

Islands  o 

benefit   r 

sider  thei 

They  tei 

courage  t 

one  anoti 

ness  and 

f'xtempoi 

prove  th( 

the  mini! 

one  of  th 

«-.!  men 

make  hii 

idle  spec 

of  gracio 

sinkings, 

ness,  wa 

prayer,  i 

discover 

soul,  dui 

and  conf 

against 

great  abi 

twixt  a 

things  o 

mighty 

tion,    a 

Alas!  tl 

things  I 

Iniid 

ofgrao« 


JOSHUA  MAR8DEN. 


61 


opagatiou 
t  that  1b> 
leaconeis. 
,  Dorca!, 
St.  John, 
We  might 
}  beeu  an 
\  a  bless- 

ales  men- 
^pportuDi. 
o  have  a 
g  profane 
lI,  strange 
s  of  love, 
me  in  the 
ichl   had 
en  sevcial 
»y  ventiir- 
pie  nearly 
God,  who 
d  me  over 
^vhich  I 
ized  me.  I 
son^ing  at 
from  the 
received 
ve  me  to 
desire  to 
it  burned 
anities  of 
i  of  dying 
athed  and 
;  peace, 
(-meeting; 
ti  singular 
»  meetliig 


'/a 


truly  and  impressively  solemn :  my  mind  was  greatly 
aflfected,  and  the  tears  trickled  down  my  cheeks  like  ri- 
valets.     I  am  persuaded  that  these  meetings,  though  not 
minutely  described  in  holy  writing,    are   nevertheless 
among  the  most  useful   and  vital   m«an8  of  grace.     In 
Great  Britain,  Nova  Scotia,  the  United  States,  and  the 
Islands  of  Bermuda,  I  have  heard  thousands  testify  the 
benefit   received  from  class- meetings ;   and  I  justly  con- 
sider them  as  the  promoters  and  palladium  of  Methodism. 
They  tend  greatly  to  instruct,  comfort,  quicken,  and  en- 
courage the  flock;  they  bring  Christians  acquainted  with 
one  another,  and  furnish  a  continually  new  spur  to  holi- 
ness and  diligence;  they  bring  forward  and  ripen  gifts  for 
extemporaneous  prayer;   they  are  good  schools  to  im- 
prove the  talents  of  young  men  who  may  be  called  to 
the  ministry;  and  next  to  the  Book  of  God,   they  unfokt 
one  of  the  most  valuable  of  all  volumes  to  his  attention 
—I  mean  the  book  of  christian  experience.     This  will 
make  him  more  usefully  wise  than  a  thousand   tomes  of 
idle  speculation ;  here  he  will  be  let  into  all  the  exercises 
of  gracious  souls ;  their  views,  trials,  temptations,  heart- 
sinkings,  doubts,  struggles,  manifestations,  victories,  cold- 
ness, wanderings,  besetments,  helps,   hopes,    answers  to 
prayer,  interpositions,  reliefs,  complaints :  there  is  often 
discovered  the  beautiful  unfoldings  of  divine  grace  in  the 
soul,  during  the  periods  of  its  infancy,  youth,  maturity, 
and  confirmed  fatherhood  in  the  divine  life.  Many  runout 
against  these  as  popery,  and  doubtless  they  are  liable  to 
great  abuses  :  but  I  j^uld  ask,  what  connexion  is  there  be- 
twixt a  few  serious  people  speaking  to  each  other  of  the 
things  of  God,  and  jiopery  ?  The  reviewers  have  made  a 
mighty  handle  of  this  simple  means  of  christian  edifica- 
tion,   as  drilling  persons  into    hypocrisy,  and  so    on. 
Alas!  that  these  mistaken  men  should  speak  so  boldly  of 
things  not  within  the  limits  of  their  knowledge. 

In  addition  to  class-meeting,  I  attended  all  the  means 
of  grace;  these  on  many  occasions  gave  me  eweet  glimp* 


^^ 


'41 


62 


MEMOIRS  OF 


# 


ses  of,  and  divine  drawings  towards,  the  Lord  Jesus. 
Anon  I  would  sink  into  despondency  and  dry  nesa,  and  be 
Kady  to  give  up  all  as  lost.  I  strove  continually  with 
the  besetraent  of  my  nature,  entered  into  several  cove- 
nants  with  God,  and  promised  grrater  ttrictness,  watch- 
fulness,  and  eare;  yet  in  spite  of  all,  I  was  sometimeB 
borne  away  by  the  violence  and  impetuosity  of  tempta- 

""^After  being  overtaken  with  sin,  I  would  redouble  my 
prayers,   and  when  not  visited  with  the  temptation  lor 
several  days,  congratulated  myself  on  having  obtained  the 
Tictory.    All  this  lime  I  mortified  my  body  to  such  a  de-  I 
gree,   that  sometimes  I  was  so   weak  1   could  hardly 

attend  to  any  thing. 

My  greatest  desire  was  to  feel  more  humble,  more  con- 
trite, and  dead  to  the  world.     My  mind  was  frequently 
much  distressed  on  account  of  hardness  of  heart.     Alas, 
I  wanted  to  be  sanctified  before  1  had  any  knowledge  ol 
»  state  of  pardon.     Owing  to  this  mistake  (which  I  am 
•onfident  prevents  thousands  from  coming  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  in  the  simplicity  of  faith)  I  wandered  from  the 
point,  seldom   praying  directly  for  faith,   but  chieHy  lor 
contrition;  and  not  unfrequently  for  all  the  graces  of  the 
Spirit.     I  had  some  latent  thoughts  that  my  mind  must  be 
prepared  in  this  manner,  before  I  could  obtain  a  sense  of 
Sivine  reconciliation.     Perhaps  this  was  owing  to  a  re- 
fined  principle  of  self.righteousness;  secretly  wishing  to 
do  something  in  order  to  merit  salvation  at  the  hands  of 
God.     By  how  many  plausible  ways  does  the  devil  strive 
to  lessen  the  glory  of  the  bleeding  cross,  tarnish  the  lustre 
of  a  free,  full,  and  present  salvation,  and  divert  the  so  ! 
from  the  simplicity  of  the  gospel,  and  the  true  path  o. 

life  and  peace. 

I  knew  that  I  could  be  saved  no  other  way  than  pure- 
ly by  Christ,  as  a  poor,  miserable,  guUty  sinner;  and  some- 
iirocB  1  would  kneel  down  to  pray  under  the  impression 
c  o»w^..M  nnw  ffftt  the  blessine:  but,  after  praying  a, few 


L^ 


l^A.'^. 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


63 


rd  Jesus. 
},  and  be 
ally  with 
ral  covc' 
»8)  wutch' 
ometimeB 
»f  tempta- 


louble  my 
tation  tor 
taiaed  the 
iuch  a  de-  Ik 
lid  hardly 

more  con- 
frequently 
irt.     Alas, 
I w  ledge  ol 
bich  I  am 
I  the  Lord 
1  from   the 
chiefly  lor 
aces  of  (he 
md  must  be 
)  a  sense  of 
ing  to  a  re- 
wishing  to 
le  hands  of 
devil  strive 
h  the  lustre 
ert  the  soul 
rue  path  of 

'  than  pure- 
•;  and  some- 
i  impreesioQ 
lying  a.  few 


4 


minuleB,  something  would  suggest,  «  not  now-you  are 
not  enough  engaged  ;  defer  it  till  to-morrow,  and  then  you 
may  possibly  obtain  it/'    On  other  occasions,  I  would  go 
out  into  the  fields  and  woods,  and  thiak  I  should  not  be 
interrupted,  and  might  wrestle  with  God  till  I  obtained 
the  prize  ;  but  a  rustling  among  the  bushes  or  trees  made 
me  think  some  person  was  near:  then  again  I  would  set 
apart  some  particular  nights  to  read  the  word  of  God,  and 
pray  all  night,  hoping  to  have  my  soul  divinely  refreshed 
with  a  sense  of  pardon:  but  ihenassoon  as  1  felt  drowsy, 
I  would  desist,   thinking  that  ray  prayers  could  not  be 
acceptable  to  God*&  Frequently  an  unaccountable  de- 
spondency would  paralize  all  my  endeavours;  my  beset- 
ting sin  raged  like  a  fury,  while  despair  and  fear  so 
completely  chilled  my  mind,  I  dared  not  look  up  to  God 
for  mercy  :  all  appeared  as  lost,  and  1  had  no  consolation 
left,  but  the  reflection,  that  if  1  were  sent  to  hell  I  would 
justify  God  in  the  deep  abyss  of  everlasting  wo.  On  these 
occasions  I  have  spent  many  sorrowful  hours:  and  at 
night  feared  to  shut  my  eyes,  lest  I  should  awake  in  ever- 
lasting misery.     Ah !  if  all  ihe  deep   exercises  of  my 
mind  had  been  written  during  this  restless  period,  they 
would  form  a  shady  picture  of  lamentation,  mour«jing» 
and  wo.     Sometimes  I  had  fe^rs  lest  the  horrible  doc- 
trine of  reprobation  were  true ;    and  that  myself  was 
among  the  unhappy  number  for  whom  Deity  felt  no  com- 
passion; for  whom  atoning  mercy  r  ever  shed  a  drop  of 
precious  blood :  if  so,  I  thought  I  might  as  well  sin  on; 
for  what  would  all  my  strivings  avail,  if  there  were  no 
grace,  no  Saviour,  no  promise  ?  but  a  fearful  looking  for 
of  judgment.     Fears  too,  that  I  had  committed  the  un- 
pardonable  sin,  would  often  darken  the  gloom  that  sur- 
rounded my  soul;  all  heightened  by  the  natural  workings 
of  my  corrupt  nature,  and  the  powerful  temptations  of 
the  devil,  sometimes  made  me  roll  on  the  floor  in  an  ago- 
ny of  distress.    It  often  appeared  as  though  the  devil 
were  let  loose  on  purpose  to  tempt  me  ;  and  though  I 


64 


MEMOIRS  OF 


wept  and  flirove,  dreaded  the  tempter,  abhorred  myself, 
yet  was  1  olten  overcome  by  the  enemy ;  and  being 
drawn  within  the  whirl,  waa  plunged  down  the  vortex  of 
evil.  Atheistical  thoughts  would  often  rush  into  my 
mind  ;  and  I  would  say,  what  if  there  be  no  God,  if  re- 
ligion  U  a  fable,  and  the  Bible  a  romance  ?  But  these 
were  B*ldom  of  lonR  continuance.  I  have  infinite  rea- 
son  to  be  thankful  that  1  never  waa  in  any  period  of  my 
life  given  up  to  infidelity.  Even  when  I  did  not  t  bey  it, 
\  venerated  the  word  of  God,  and  though  destitute  of  iti 
power,  I  always  believed  in  the  reality  of  religion. 

1  still  attended  all  the  means  of  g^use,  and  was  on  some 
occasions  greatly  comforted,  but  I^d  not  often  hear  the 
exercises  of  penitents  dwelt  upon  with  sufficient  minute- 
ne^i.     Preaching  in  generals  may  have  its  uses,  but  cer- 
tainly   it  is  not  the  best  way.     A  sermon  of  this  kind 
may  be  all  true,  all  good,  all  scriptural,  am^  yet  not  suit 
the  case  of  a  single  individual  in  the  congregation.    I 
grant  it  is  the  easiest  way  of  preaching;  it  requires  little 
atudy,  less  knowledge,  and  may  be  delivered  without  any 
experience  at   all.     The  believer  looka  up,  he  has  no 
share ;  the  penitent  has  no  share ;  the  relapse  has  no 
share  j  the  weak,  desponding,   tempted,  drooping,  and 
perplexed,  have  no  share.     The  sermon  exhibits  a  group 
of  figures  like  nobody  in  the  congregation.     The  mirror 
ot  truth  is  lifted  up,  but  no  one  can  see  his  moral  face  in 
it.    Nothing  can  be  more  discriminating  and  explicit 
than  the  acri|)ture,  nothing  more  vague  and  ambiguous 
than  a  thing  of  this  kind,  called  a  sermon. 

I  would  sometimes  hear  sinners  addressed,  and  some- 
times  saints;  but  I  thirsted  to  hear  the  nature  of  justify- 
ing faith  explained,  and  the  doctrine  of  a  present  simple 
reliance  upon  Christ  for  instantaneous  remission  unfold- 
ed. I  read  all  the  books  I  could  get  upon  the  subject ; 
but  fev,'  afforded  me  such  clear  light  and  dawning  hopes 
as  Mr.  Wesley's  First  Journal,  Mr.  Fletcher's  Appendix 
Matter 


x\* 


ut 


ffttvt, 


A  4-u«.  T.;ra  nF  Mr    naiihiirton. 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


65 


trred  myBeif, 
;  and  being 
he  vortex  of 
lish   into  my 

0  God,  if  re* 
?    But  these 

!  infinite  rea- 
period  of  my 
J  note  bey  it, 
estitute  of  iti 
iligion. 
[  was  on  some 
>rten  hear  the 
cient  minute- 
uses,  but  cer- 
of  this  kind 
i\  yet  not  suit 
igregation.    1 
requires  little 
d  without  any 
ip,  he  has  no 
ilapse  has  no 
Irooping,  and 
Lbibits  a  group 
The  mirror 

1  moral  face  in 
f  and  explicit 
nd  ambiguous 

sd,  and  some- 
ture  of  justify- 
present  simple 
nission  unfold- 
n  the  subject ; 
iawning  hopeai 
ler's  Appendix 

[nlihiirion. 


Mr  We.I«y'»  •ermon  on  Ju.tlftcation  by  Faith  alone. 

I  letrd  the  .b«.lute  nece..ily  of  pr.yiug  for  faith  con- 
iluall  i  to  m»ke  it  the  con.tant  burthen  ol  all  my  pray- 
er.ml  expect  that  God  would  beatow  .t  upon  me  for 
Te  ,°r  of  hi.  well-beloved  Sons  for  faith  ..  the  g.  t  ot 
God     "By  grace  ye  are  .«ved,through  faith ,  and  that 
no,  of  yourJlve.,  it  is  the  gift  of  6od :  not  by  work.. 
Neither  thi.  faith  nor  this  .alTation  i.  owing  to  anj 
^:rwe  ever  did,  will,  or  can  do,  f"'--"';;"* 
m»n.hiD-  Which  proves  both  that  salvation  is  by  «ith, 
w?  .  J.h  k  th««i"  01  '!od.    Faith  is  wrought  in 
and  that  (aitnis  tii«gi  ""•         .       <„•„;..  hut  is 

the  heart  by  the  oper  iio«  «V  ^'„'^''      th  ^holv  Soi^ 
not  the  Spirit  the  gilt _  ^f  -M  ?   ^  He  g.veth  his  holy  Spi^ 

lit  to  them  that  ask  him/ 

Faith  is  a  nobler  blessing  than  repentance;  and  yet 
repentance  is  the  gift  of  God.    "  He  h  exalted  on  high 
r^nce  and  a  Saviour,  to  give  repentance  and  remls- 
sion  '•  '»  He  ascended  on  high  to  give  gifts  to  men,  even 
to  the  rebellious,  that  the  Lord  God  might  dwel  among 
hPm."     But  God  could  not  dwell  among  -nen  destitute 
of  faith.     Faith  realizes  the  divine  presence,  therefore  iB 
faith  one  of  those  gifts  God  bestows  on  his  Son  to  dia. 
pense  to  fallen  man.    It  is  not  the  gift  of  God  in  the^ 
1   same  sense  as  our  bodily  members,  or  mental  faculties  > 
3   Z^e  ^  natural  to  us,  and  only  hisgift  through  the  «»ed*«m 
:    ofcreation;butlaithi3  a  supernatural  gift,  and  flow*  to 
us  through  the  medium  of  new  covena*\ni?rcy,  and  by 
a  particular  inspiration  of  the  Spirit  of  God  f  for, 

1.  All  men  have  not  faith. 

2.  No  wicked  man  has  faith,  otherwise  he  would  be  a 

child  of  God.  „     ,   ,,  .,       v.. 

»  We  are  made,''  says  the  apostle  Paul,  the  chil- 
dren of  God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus."  A  peniten 
seeker  of  salvation  has  not  true  faith;  he  feels  his  want 
of  it,  and  cries,  Lord,  help  my  unbelief.  A  believer  has 
aniir  iTue  faith  while  be  watches  and  prays;  if  he  coffif 
''''  "  ,F  2 


fl-i 


afit 


MEMOIRS  OF 


wilful,  deliberate  sin,  the  power  to  believe  is  with' 
6rawn ;  nor  is  he  restored  to  it  till  be  seeks  the  Lord  by 
confession,  humiliatioui  and  prayer.  If  it  be  asked) 
Why  then  are  men  accountable  for  their  neglect  or  omis- 
sion to  believe  ?  and  why  is  unbelief  a  sin  ?  1  answer, 
That  though  faith  is  the  gift  of  God,  yet  it  is  given  in 
answer  to  prayer,  and  may  be  greatly  improved  and  ex- 
ercised by  man,  who  is  deeply  accountable  both  for  his 
not  seeking,  or  not  improving  it  when  obtained. 

Oathis«ame  principle,  repentance  is  the  gift  of  God; 
yet  men  are  blamed  and  condemned  for  impenitence. 
All  men  may  repent :  for  first,  if  j|e  take  the  steps,  or 
use  the  means,  God  will  give  us  the  grace.  Will  not  the 
same  tegs  that  carry  a  man  to  the  ball-room,  the  play- 
house, dr  the  tavern,  carry  him  to  the  house  of  God  ? 
Will  not  the  same  eyes  with  whicn  he  may  have  read  a 
novel,  romance,  or  tragedy,  enable  him  to  read  the  holy 
scriptures?  The  same  ears  by  which  he  listens  to  a 
profane  song,  will  enable  him  to  hear  the  word  of  God. 
If  a  Sfiendthrift  may  quit  drunkenness  because  it  has  hurt 
his  constitution,  reputation,  and  property,  why  may  not 
another,  because  it  has  hurt  his  soul  ?  If  it  be  said, 
this  is  Pelagianism,  I  deny  the  charge. 
I  During  his  day^H^race,  (and  es|Bry  man  has  a  day 
of  grace,)  the  sii^Ber  may  cease  to  do  ef  il  and  learn  to 
dfrW^lK  What  by  his  own  inherent  power?  No;  but 
by  the  grace  of  G^  that  bringeth  salvation  (initial  salva- 
tll|i>  to  all  mett|r#eaching  them,  that  denying  ungodli- 
newi  ad^Torldly  lusts,  they  live  soberly ^ghteously,  and 
godly  in  this  [iresent  world.  The  light  that  lighteneth 
everv  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,  appearing  to  the 
heathens  as  the  light  of  the  moon  and  stars,  but  to  the 
Christian  ~  the  light  of  the  sun.  Some  portion  of  the 
divine  Spirit  is  imparted  to  every  human  breast  to  profit 
by  it  withal.  If  men  resist  the  Holy  Ghost,  if  they  bu- 
ry their  talents,  refuse  to  come  to  Christ  that  they  may 


ears  io  tli 
aay,  1  wi 
in  vain,  i 
trembling 
to  make  t 
returning, 
the  blam< 

There 
save  men 
of  mercy 
turn  to  hi 
part  of  CI 
if  they   I 
gave  hims 
There  is 
to  save  n 
vings,  ant 
But  to  ret 

When  ] 
or  conditi 
Lord,  giv 
impotent 

1  went 
I  had  an 
God,  Mr. 
words  wei 
ment  ofth 
mystery  o 
grace  to  se 

In  the  s 
«  Who  is  \ 
after  whic 
dealings  o 
God  had  f 
heart  was 
though  I c 


iie" 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


ar 


ears  to  the  calls  of  God,  make  their  light  darkness,  and 
«ay,  1  will  not  believe;  il"  they  receive  the  grace  of  God 
in  vain,  refuse  to  work  out  their  salvation  with  fear  and 
trembling;  if  they  will  not  co-work  with  God,  neglect 
to  make  their  calling  and  election  sure,  and  instead  of 
returning,  to  wander  further  from  the  Lord,  then,  truly, 
the  blame  of  their  ruin  rests  upon  their  own  heads. 

There  is  an  infinite  willingnei^s  on  the  part  of  God  to 
save  men ;  witness  his  word  in  ten  thousand  declarations 
of  mercy  towards  even  those  who  never'^teless  refuse  to 
turn  to  him.  There  is  an  infinite  willingness  on  the 
part  of  Christ  to  8a¥e  them;  witness  his  death,  which, 
if  they  believe,  is  an  atonement  for  their  sins.  He 
gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all,  to  be  testified  in  due  time. 
There  is  an  infinite  willingness  on  the  part  of  the  Spirit 
to  save  men;  witness  his  tender  drawings,  patient  stri- 
vings, and  protracted  operations  in  the  human  heart. 
But  to  return. 

When  I  was  convinced  that  faith  was  the  only  meana 
or  condition  of  salvation,  it  was  my  continual  prayer. 
Lord,  give  me  faith  :  nor  was  Jehovah  slow  to  hear,  or 
impotent  to  save. 

1  went  on  Whitsunday,  1798,  to  Manchester,  where 
I  had  an  opportunity  of  hearing  that  venerable  man  of 
God,  Mr.  Mather,  from  "Do  ye  now  believe?"  The 
words  were  rendered  a  blessing  to  my  soul,  and  bis  treat- 
ment of  them  gave  me  so  clear  a  view  of  the  hhtory  and 
mystery  of  faith,  that  I  resolved  in  the  strength^tf  divine 
grace  to  seek  till  I  tbund,  if  ?  sought  it  till  my^dyin^^r 

In  the  afternoon,  Mr.  George  Marsden  preaclf^ffllfm 
"  Who  is  willing  to  consecrate  his  service  to  the  Lord :" 
after  which  there  was  a  love-feast ;  many  spoke  of  the 
dealings  of  the  Lord  with  their  souls,  many  testified  that 
God  had  forgiven  them  for  his  namesake;  but  alas  !  my 
heart  was  as  hard  as  the  nether  millstone;  it  seemed  as 
though  I  could  neither  repent,  believe,  nor  do  any  thing 
Neyertheivsi,  iu  hope  believing  against  hope,  I 


6S 


MGivroiRs  or 


determined  never  to  leave  the  chapel  till  mercy  spoke 
my  8iQ8  forgiven.     The  meeting  coacluded,  but  1  re- 
mained in  the  gallery,  and  with  a  young  man,  ray  com- 
panion, kneeled  down  on  the  bottom  of  the  pew,  and 
began  to  pray  in  art  agony  for  a  present  salvation :  some 
of  the  leaders,  together  with  some  pious  females,  came 
into  the  gallery,  and  joined  in  praying  over  me  for  near 
an  hour,  till  finally  the  power  of  God  came  down  in  a 
most  vital  manner.     The  dark  clouds  of  unbelief  van- 
ished from  my  mind:  I  felt  power  to  lay  hold  on  Christ 
by  faith.     My  burden  fell  off,  even  ray  body  lelt  the  di- 
vine influence :  now  were  my  lips  filled  with  praises,  and 
mine  eyes  with  tears  of  grateful  love;  the  scripture  that 
made  the  deepest  impression  on  ray  heart  was, "  Thy 
sins  which  are  many,  are  all  forgiven  thee."     1  returned 
home  with  a  light  heart  and  a  cheerful  countenance ;  my 
peace  continued  most  sweet,  and  for  some  time  my  whole 
soul  was  drawn  out  in  prayer :  truly, 

"  Prayer  my  divine  employment  was, 
Lnd  all  my  pleasure  praise." 


I  had  now  power  over  my  besetmcnts ;  if  the  tempter 
eame,  my  soul  fled  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  the  enemy  re- 
treated :  after  this  my  conscience  was  so  tender  that  I 
could  hardly  attend  to  lawful  things  without  feeling  some 
misgivings. 

«  I  felt  an  idle  thought  as  actual  wickedness. 
And  gmsLvCd  for  the  minutest  fault  in  exquisite  distress.*' 

To  obviate  the  cavils  of  infidels,  sophists,  and  frojsen- 
hearted  moralists,  with  regard  to  the  change  that  I  felt, 
lest  this  as  well  as  the  other  parts  of  spiritual  religion 
should  be  called  enthusiasm  and  delusion ;  in  the  divine 
influence  that  renovated  my  soul,  I  heard  no  voice— a 
voice  spoken  to  the  ear  does  not  always  enter  the  heart ; 
man  speaks  to  the  ear ,  Ood  iias  fcawveU  to  hlmEclf  tat 


prerogative 
the  powerfi 
2.  I  saw 
the  eyes  ol 
the  hope  o 
of  his  inhc 
place  was 
powers  of 
change  wa 
sion  of  the 
of  the  ima 
peace,  fav( 
was  supern 
producing 
spiritual  ai 
the  new  ci 
joy,  fear,  h 
righteousni 
changed  t 
iGlod's  love 
standard,  a 
religion  bu 
that  does  i 
searching 
has  as  muc 
the  elemei 
with  the  g 
commande 
nate  the  hi 
can  awake 
earth  fruit 
man  breasi 
the  sinner 
glow  with 
God*8  pow 
tion  ahsoli 
oessarvi  ai 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


69 


I 


])rerogative  of  speaking  to  the  heart,  and  when  he  doeS) 
the  powerful  language  ia  always  felt. 

2.  I  saw  no  similitude,  my  eyes  were  shut ;  and  yet 
the  eyes  of  my  understanding  were  enlightened  to  know 
the  hope  of  my  calling,  and  what  the  riches  of  the  glory 
of  his  inheritance  in  the  saints.     The  change  that  took 
place  was  spiritual,  a  divine  agency  acting  upon  the 
powers  of  the  soul  in  a  way  peculiar  to  himself.     The 
change  was  a  real,  sensible  change ;  no  flash  or  impriif^ 
sion  of  the  fancy,  no  vibration  of  the  nerves,  no  illusicnl 
of  the  imagination,  but  a  solemn  inward  feeling  of  the 
peace,  favour,  and  approbation  of  the  Lord ;  the  change 
was  supernatural ;  rising  above  the  level  of  nature,  and 
producing  effects  as  different  as  the  difference  betwixt 
spiritual  and  human  agents.     The  change  w-     rational ; 
the  new  creature  was  invested  with  new  pow.  (    of  love, 
joy,  fear,  hope,  delight,  springing  from  a  new  kingdom  of 
righteousness  planted  in  the  soul.    The  renewed  heart 
changed  the   sentiments,  the  vienr  changed    the  life, 
God's  love  became  the  ruling  principle,  God's  word  the 
standard,  and  his  glory  the  end  of  niy  actions.    Is  any 
religion  but  this  worthy  of  the  gospel ;  can  a  religioii 
that  does  not  change  the  heart  be  acceptable  to  a  hearts 
searching  God  ?  I»  it  not  as  rational  to  believe  that  God 
has  as  much  power  over  the  human  heart  as  he  has  over 
the  elements  ?  He  that  biddeth  the  winds  to  blow,  can 
with  the  gales  of  his  Spirit  refresh  man's  heart!  He  that 
commanded  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  can  illumi- 
nate the  human  soul !  He  that  biddeth  the  thunders  roar, 
can  awaken  the  guilty  conscience !  He  that  maketh  the 
earth  fruitful,  can  sow  the  seeds  of  eternal  life  in  the  hu- 
man breast !  He  that  has  kindled  the  solar  fire,  can  warm 
the  sinner's  cold  bosom,  and  bid  his  froaen  affection* 
glow  with  gratitude,  love,  and  zeal:  in  fine,  to  deny 
God's  power  over  the  human  soul  is  to  advance  a  posi' 
tion  absolutely  atheistical;  to  suppose  this  power  unne- 
cessary,  argues  deistica)  pride ;  to  assert  that  this  power 


70 


MEMOIRS  OF 


is  never  applied  for  the  purposes  and  in  the  way  above- 
mentioned,  Pharisaic  blindness  and  self-sufficiency  :  but 
to  the  law  and  to  the  testimony ;  except  ye  be  born 
again,  (re-born,  from  regenero,  Latin,)  you  can  in  nowise 
enter  the  kingdom  of  God;  old  things  must  be  done 
away ;  there  must  be  a  new  creation,  a  passing  from 
darkness  to  illumination,  from  death  to  spiritual  vitality 
and  animation ;  a  change  from  the  bondage  of  sin  to  the 
freedom  of  salvation,  from  the  image  of  Satan  to  the 
kingdom  and  image  of  God's  dear  Son ;  and  this  change 
is  the  foundation  of  that  holiness,  without  which  no  man 
Can  see  the  Lord. 

A  little  after  I  obtained  this  blessing,  I  was  a  good 
deal  disturbed  by  a  person  telling  me,  that  I  was  but 
just  entered  upon  the  Qeld  of  battle ;  for  it  appeared  to 
me  that  I  should  neither  know  war  nor  come  into  con- 
demnation any  more*  But  it  was  not  long  before  a  na- 
tural levity  of  disposition  brought  me  into  great  darkness 
and  diaftroeo,  and  eotnctimes  to  the  Very  brink  of  despair ; 
but  then,  just  as  I  would  seem  to  be  giving  up  all  hope, 
and  about  to  cast  away  my  confidence,  the  Lord  broke  in 
upon  me  in  a  blessed  and  most  merciful  manner,  granting 
me  such  a  luminous  sense  of  his  presence  and  love,  as 
filled  me  with  sensations  of  the  most  ravishing  joy.  If  I 
felt  the  least  thing  that  weighed  upon  my  conscience,  I 
carried  it  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  prayer,  seldom  in- 
termitting the  e:  prcise  till  I  found  both  sweet  relief  and 
conscious  pardon. 

My  mind  was  frequently  drawn  out  in  an  inexpressi- 
ble manner  to  plead  with  God  for  poor  sinners,  ins^o- 
much,  that  while  hearing  sermons  I  would  pray  all  the 
time  that  the  Lord  would  awaken  and  enlighten  the 
guilty  and  benighted.  The  word  of  God,  whether  read, 
preached,  or  explained,  was  my  comfort  and  solace. 

And  oft  with  •  smile  of  delight  I  wculd  say, 

Take  my  healtb*  fortoae.  firieada,  name,  and  credit  awtqr  * 


But  lea' 
The  epi 
If  cast 
Where 
Beneatl 
Or  the 
With  oi 
IM  cho< 

David's 
«  O  how 
day;  I  uui 
keep  thy 
taste;  yea 
that  I  ha 
then  wou 
righteousn 
Hymn-Bo( 
constant  c 

Happy 
helps  him 
city  of  fai 
the  Lord 
answered, 
kingdom  < 
ual  light  g 
grove  is  gi 

Musi 

Fair 

Let 

And 

Let 

Its  8 

Witl 

And 

Thei 

Out 

Brio 

Hie 


••P-7^ 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


71 


But  leave  my  lov'd  Bible,  my  treasure  it  is, 

The  spring-  of  my  joy,  aud  my  title  to  bliss. 

If  cast  by  misfortune  on  some  distant  isle. 

Where  seasons  ne'er  bloom,  and  the  skies  never  smile^ 

Beneath  the  cold  pole,  in  a  region  of  snow, 

Or  the  world's  fiery  zone,  where  the  solar  beai^s  glow  j 

With  only  one  volume  my  mind  to  solace, 

I'd  choose  the  pure  record*  of  covenant  grace. 

David's  language  was  the  experience  of  my  state<> 
*♦  O  how  I  love  thy  law ;  it  is  ray  meditation  all  the 
day;  I  understand  more  than  the  ancients^  because  I 
keep  thy  precepts.  How  sweet  are  thy  words  unto  my 
taste;  yea,  sweeter  than  the  honey  to  my  mouth.  O 
that  1  had  always  hearkened  to  thy  commandments, 
then  would  my  peace  have  been  as  a  river,  and  my 
righteousness  as  the  waves  of  the  sea."  My  Bible, 
Hymn- Book,  and  Young's  Night  Thoughts,  were  my 
constant  companions. 

Happy  state,  when  the  soul  desires  nothing  save  what 
helps  him  in  the  one  great  concern,  walks  in  the  simpli- 
city of  faith  and  love,  and  has  sweet  communion  with 
the  Lord  by  prayer  and  meditation :  "  each  prayer  is 
answered,  and  each  wish  resigned."  Truly  then  the 
kingdom  of  God  is  opened  in  the  soul ;  beams  of  spirit- 
ual light  gladden  the  mind ;  all  nature  smiles,  and  every 
grove  is  gay." 

Muse,  range  Hesperia's  groves,  Arcadia's  bowens, 

Fair  Tempe's  vale,  and  fancy's  gayest  shores  j 

Let  the  bright  di'raond  all  its  lustre  lend, 

And  orient  morn  its  softest  blushes  send ; 

Let  damask  roses  purest  fragrance  bring. 

Its  stores  the  autumn,  and  its  colours  spring ; 

With  all  rare  things  that  every  climate  blesn, 

And  call  th'  assemblage  earthly  happiness. 

Then  soar  away,  my  muse,  to  that  fair  tree, 

On  the  high  top  of  rugged  Calvary ; 

Bring  thence  sweet  faith  that  lives  suid  blooms  beside 

The  bleeding  cross  whereon  Emmanuel  died } 


M' 


I  ^ 


^2  MEMOIRS  OF 

Bring  the  serapaic  bliss  his  wounds  impart, 

When  love,  reoceming  love,  plays  round  th<  beer  i;^ 

When  ir^vrcy  sp'vaks  the  thrilling  word,  "  my  Ai.'u," 

And  God  and  man  are  sweetly  recon-  il'd! 

Bring  the  rapt  s^veets  that  Irom  devotion  rise, 

The  glowing  heart ,  the  teai  einl^ised  eyes  ; 

Let  sky-born  peace  attend,  nm".  soly  hope, 

Sweet  cordial  in  iite's  many-^olour'd  cup. 

With  calm  content  ami  spotless  saacti  /, 

Bright  tr;u>script  of  tn  unseen  JDeity : 

AvM  let  iiapartial  reason  now  decide., 

To  which  Micity  is  most  allied. 

ii{*.i>ar>  *al  reaso??  ?ith  an  herald's  voice, 

GJ  pes  liifc  bvjght  palm  to  tu-tue's  spotless  joys ! 

The  lire  is  regulattd  by  a  divine  rule  which  the  con* 
science  approves;  sinful  affections  are  nipped  in  the 
bud;  and  turbulent  passions  are  not  suffered  to  ruffle  the 
calm  surface  of  the  soul ;  remorse  is  banished  from  the 
breast,  and  guilty  fears  can  no  longer  arm  death  with 
tenfold  terrors;  the  calm  of  heaven  is  felt  within,  nor 
does  the  soul  tremble  at  the  prospect  of  evil  tidings; 
the  new-born  Christian,  feeling  a  holy  indifference  to  the 
world,  is  neither  much  perplexed  by  its  cares,  nor  shock- 
ed by  its  frowns  and  disappointments. 

The  day  glides  sweetly  o'er  their  heads. 

Made  up  of  innocence  and  love; 
And  soft  and  peaceful  as  the  shades. 
Their  nightly,  minutes  sweetly  move.  Watts. 

^  .    ■    . 

Pining  jealousy  can  no  longer  form  a  hell  within ;  the 
baleful  passions,  hatred,  revenge,  envy,  ill  nature,  fret- 
fulness,  discontent,  melancholy,  despa:  ,  bave  no  influ- 
ence in  the  peaceful  mansions  cf  the  f<  .;if  but  in  their 
place,  lov  ,  oy,  peace,  long•suffe^»r^  a,entleness,  good- 
ness, faith,  meekness,  temperance;  lie  soul  feels  a  di- 
vine harmony  within,  sweeter  than  ^1  e  ^^re  of  Orpheus, 
and  infinitely  more  delightful  in  the  et  «  reason  than 
«ii  tKo  fAnripd  muftift  of  the  sohercs.    -   The  good  man 


lYOW  is  sati 
that  flow  f 
no  ne'^*'  to 
has  a  treas 
than. geld  ; 
understand 
and  perpeti 
d'  God. 

Does  ih< 
that  the  s< 
darkness  ? 
berty  whe 
the  light  a 
just  shine  I 
and  he  wli 
stronger  ai 
holiness  in 
MS  ?  to  hol(] 
the  power 
grow  in  gi 
to  our  fait 
godliness,  I 
clension  ii 
eternal  bea 
It  may  be 
the  need  ol 
cession;  tl 
on  the  Lo 
they  bring 
grace,  and 
All  this  is 
is  more  iik 


*  So  sti 
A  litt 
«Gra 
^But 


n 


tbe 


JOSHUA  MAHSDEN. 


.7a 


lYOW  is  satisfied  from  himself ;"  from  those  rich  atreams 
that  flow  from  the  fountain  of  renewed  nature.  He  has 
no  ne^^r'  to  ransack  the  world  in  quest  of  happiness  ;  he 
has  a  treasure  in  his  breast  a  thousand  times  more  rich 
than  gold  and  gems;  an  inward  peace  that  passes  all 
Understanding.  This  state,  both  in  present  enjoyment 
and  perpetuation,  is  no  doubt  the  privilege  of  every  child 
of  God. 

Does  the  Holy  Scripture  say  there  is  any  necessity 
(hat  the  soul  should  ever  again  come  into  bondage  and 
darkness  ?  Are  we  not  exhorted  to  stand  fast  in  the  li- 
berty wherewith  Christ  hath  made  us  free?  to  walk  in 
the  light  as  he  is  in  the  light?  May  not  the  path  of  the 
just  shine  brighter  and  brighter  even  to  the  perfect  day  ? 
and  he  who  has  clean  hands,  go  on  his  way,  and  wax 
stronger  and  stronger  ?  Are  not  we  exhorted  to  perfect 
holiness  in  the  fear  of  God  ?  to  keep  that  committed  to 
MS  ?  to  hold  fast  (ill  he  come  ?  (o  ahoun  I  in  hoj)e  through 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost?  to  continue  in  love  ?  to 
grow  in  grace,  and  consequently  in  happiness  ?  to  add 
to  our  faith  virtue,  knowledge,  temperance,  patience, 
godliness,  brotherly-kindness,  charity  ?  &c.  Will  a  de- 
clension in  piety  promote  our  happiness,  humility,  or 
eternal  beatitude  ?  Alas!  the  reverse  is  always  the  case. 
It  may  be  answered,  re.Vipses  make  us  more  sensible  of 
the  need  of  a  Saviour,*  of  his  blood,  assistance,  and  inter- 
cession ;  they  render  us  more  hui]s||||,  more  dependent 


on  the  Lord,  more  distrustful  of  oureWves;  in  fine,  that 


they  bring  more  honour  to  Christ,  more  praise  to  free 
grace,  and  will  finally  cause  us  to  sing  louder  in  heaven. 
All  this  is  very  fine,  if  it  were  true;  but  I  am  fearful  it 
is  more  like  the  lullaby  of  the  Antinomian*  than  the 


♦  So  sti'ict  the  path,  ts  holy  James  would  stake  it, 
A  little  wider,  by  your  leave  they  make  it. 
*'  Grace  is  a  precious  bliss,  a  lovely  plant, 
^  But  dutv— ah.  we  hate  vour  le&ral  cantt 

G 


Ummt. 


/J 


u 


MEMOIRS  OF 


* 


» 


gospel  of  Christ,  the  epistks  of  Paul  and  James,  and  the 
purity  and  holiness  of  religion. 

I  would  humbly  ask,  is  not  Christ  more  honoured  by 
holiness  than  by  sin  ?  Was  he  not  manifested  in  the  flesh 
to  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil  ?  Does  not  he  redeem 
his  people  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  to  himself  a  fiecu- 
liar  people,  zealous  of  good  works  ?  I  am  afraid  these 
«;n-advocating  ministers  never   preach  from  that  text, 
"  He  that  committeth  sin  is  of  the  devil ;"  and  1  am  a 
little  doubtful,  whether  divine  grace  does  not  acquire 
more  praise  by  purifying,  comforting,  illuminating,  and 
«trengthening  the  Christian,  than  by  allowing  him  to 
plunge  into  the  rand,  flounder  in  the  pit,  and  defile  him- 
ielf  by  the  filth  of  impurity  and  transgression.*    1  do  not 


«  Therij^id  saint,  tieu  up  by  works  and  law, 
«  The  Gospel's  charms  and  beauty  never  saw. 
«  We  reap  the  blessing,  and  forsooth  allow, 
«  Such  hide-bound  fools  to  drag  the  miry  plough  j 
«  On  heaven's  path  immortal  sweets  we  strew, 
«  And  round  our  steps  gay  thoruless  roses  blovr : 
«  So  glide  along  with  glory  in  our  eye, 
«  And  easy  gain  our  mansion  in  the  sky." 
Thus  all  the  soft-ey'd  Solifidiiin  race, 
Stab  the  fair  cause  of  piety  and  grace ; 
Bid  moral  truth  and  spotless  justice  bleed, 
And  tear  each  righteous  precept  from  the  creed  ; 
Make  grace  a  cloak  this  inward  vice  to  screen, 
And  Christ,  (OJ^,)  a  minister  of  sin. 

*  The  author  has  b^^  acquainted  with  some  preachers  of  this 
iescription  in  Nova  Scotia,  who  compared  the  Christian  to  a  »ut 
cast  into  the  BUh,  the  kernel  of  which  is  the  soul,  and  the  shell  the 
body.  Thus,  say  they,  the  body  may  be  defiled  by  sin  ;  the  body 
of  a  believer  may  swear,  get  drunk,  tell  lies,  and  commU  adultery, 
but  the  soul  is  pure.  This  reminds  me  of  a  German  Elector,  (who 
was  likewise  an  archbishop,)  one  day  profanely  swearing,  asked  a 
peasant,  who  seemed  to  wonder, '  What  he  was  surprised  at  ?  Te 
hear  an  archbishop  swear,'  answered  the  peasant.  » I  ^^^ear,  rfe. 
plied  the  Elector,  '  not  as  an  archbishop,  but  as  a  pnnce,  ^  My 
L^A  >  .«,re  thp  nwiRflnt.  «  when  the  prince  goes  to  the  devU,  Wl^t 

^»,"«j     -  V"  sr-  -      -    f 


deny  tha 
mercy  mi 
that  rela[ 
and  salv] 
and  faithf 
For  SOI 
realfzed  t 
did  not  CI 
vigilance 
appeared 
less  diffic 
tained  tli< 
absolutely 
blessing, 
when  adc 
seem  to  t! 
diligence 
rage,  and 
crease  th( 

Inf 
But 
No 
No 
Inci 
Anc 
Till 
'Tw 
Ble 
Am 
Toi 
Am 


will  becou 
the  flesh  g 
sin  reign  i 
thereof.    ] 

As  Strang 
.j_.. 


JOSHUA  MARiSI)EN. 


76 


Ueny  that  relapses  may  be  overruled,  and  boundless 
mercy  may  bring  good  out  of  evil ;  but  I  utterly  deny 
that  relapses  have  a  tendency  to  promote  our  holiness 
and  salvation  as  necessarily  as  a  continuance  in  piety 
and  faithfulcess. 

For  some  time  I  felt  much  rest  from  evil,  and  hardly 
realfzed  that  I  had  a  corrupt  nature  remaining;  but  this 
did  not  continue ;  I  soon  saw  the  necessity  of  incessant 
vigilance  and  unremitting  prayer ;  and  that  difficult  as  it 
appeared  to  obtain  the  pardoning  love  of  God,  it  was  no 
less  difficult  to  retain  the  blessing.  One  act  of  faith  ob- 
tained the  grace,  but  a  continued  exercise  of  faith  was 
absolutely  and  indispensably  necessary  to  preserve  the 
blessing.  Here  many  young  converts  err;  they  imagine 
when  adopted  into  the  family  of  God,  all  is  done,  and 
seem  to  think  little  or  nothing  of  the  subsequent  warfare, 
diligence,  watchfulness,  self-denial,  faith,  fortitude,  cou^ 
rage,  and  holy  resolution,  necessary  to  preserve  and  in- 
crease their  early  graces. 

In  fancy^s  glass  the  futwe  blt^  is  seen : 

But  no  sharp  intcrviA  of  toil  between  j 

No  fiery  darts^  no  agonixing  throes. 

No  bitter  fears,  no  heart-^^palling  woes ; 

Increasing  sweets,  and  rosy  comforts  smile, 

And  bloom  and  bliss  the  flow'ry  way  beguile ; 

Till  soon  the  path  is  cbang'd  j  and  where,  alas? 

*Twas  easy,  green,  and  soft  as  vetitikl  grass, 

Bleak  Alps  of  rugged  opposition  risft, 

And  sable  doubts  envelope  all  the  skies. 

Torrents  of  deep  aiSictiou  rapid  pour, 

And  rise,  and  boil,  and  dash,  and  foam,  and  roar. 


will  become  of  the  archbishop?'  So  of  these  body-sinners,  when 
the  flesh  goes  to  the  devil,  what  will  become  of  the  spirit  ?  Let  not 
sin  reign  in  your  mortal  bodies,  that  ye  should  obey  it  in  the  lusts 
thereof.  I  keep  my  body  under.  Mortify  the  deeds  of  the  body. 
As  strangers  and  pilgrims,  abstain  from  fieshly  lusts  that  war 


'Ste 


yg  MEMOIRS  OP 

Encirclingf  Hht,  pn<^  nnseen  trials,  make 
The  lonely  ,K.'b  veoni  .lesert,  bog,  or  brake  ; 
Where  i .  cW.y  '^»  av^  arise,  and  noxious  weed, 
To  chf>uk,  and  stunt,  and  blight  the  heavenly  see*: 
And  '..  I. .V  corruptions  rise,  a  viper  race, 
Sting  the  young  hopes,  and  irritate  the  casej 
Pride,  auger,  and  concupiscence  set  in, 
A  refluent  tide,  and  each  V-        "    ,    'n  • 

Of  former  times,  returns  with  double  force, 
To  check  his  progress  or  divert  his  course  j     . 
*"        Hard  rocks  of  barren  self-denial  goad. 

And  fear  and  trouble  roughen  all  the  road. 
Till  the  tir'd  reas'ning  soul  with  flesh  confers, 
Aud  then,  as  sure  as  God  is  just,  she  errs. 

Whether  it  was  by  miscalculations  of  this  kind,  or  by 
the  stioD-  temptations  of  the  enemy,  and  want  uf  know- 
ledge of  his  devices:  wheth>  r  by  ceasing  to  believe,  to 
watch  and  pray,  or  by  yielding  to  nature  in  Eomp  msus- 
pecting  moment  some  forbid     n  indulgence,  I  cannot 
precisely  say;  but  I  grew  cold,  was  off  my  ^uard,  and 
again  fell  into  sin;  and  for  some  time  I  continued   floun- 
dering in  the  mire,  and  entangled  in  ih   snares  of  the  sm 
that  so  easily  beset  me.     I  did  not  indeeu  outwardly  de- 
part  from  God,  nor  cast  off  Ms  feai ;  1  did  not  cease  to 
attend  the  i    ins  of  gracr     I  did  not  restrai.   regular 
prayer  before  Ood;  I  di '  not  leave  the  society,  nor  ner 
lect  any  of  the  outward  duties  of  religion ;  I  was  not  th 
willin*'  slave  ui  baWn;  an  r  t  of  unft.  hfulness  cost  me 
many^sighs,  groans,^  and  tears;  his  service  was  not      e 
mild  and  easy  yoke  of  a  par    m,  b-it  the  hard  an^  ga  l^  ; 
bondage  of  a  tyrant;  ^    mn    '  as  unwillingly  a    a  thiel 
from  to  the  halter,  or  a  f^      to    le  correction  at  the  stocks. 
But  I  had  lost  my  tirsl  .  >ve;  that  vigoroi     tone  of  .uul 
by  which  I  lived  every  hour  to  God  was  rel.   °d  ;  all  my 
fine  sensibility  of  conscience  was  blunted;  1  could  no 
longer  say. 

Whom  have  I  on  earth  below? 
1  nee  ana  omy  ujcr  ;  nnvrr , 


The< 
great, 
looked  t 
when  t< 
myself  : 
While  u 
to  di  ny 
evil  or  d 
appear  r 
fo  its  ad 
While 
lea&t  en 
thttc  car 
outwar 
thing  to 
now  th< 
situation 
my  com 
were  pri 
thing  bu^ 
in  my  o 
things,  t! 
er  was  u 
1  had  to 
cily  vie 
now  the 
mgs  v^ 
1  mig 
Dii^a:,  ar 
ibal  tbe 


-iw^a 


50SHUA  MARSDEN. 

Whom  ItaTe  I  in  heaven  but  thee  ? 
Thou  art  all  id  all  to  me  t 


77 


am' 


All  my  treasure  is  above } 
All  my  riches  is  thy  love : 
Other  comforts  1  despise, 
Love  is  all  my  paradise. 


WEflLElr. 


The  difference  betwixt  my  former  state  and  this  wa« 
great.  Before,  when  a  temptation  presented,  1  instantly 
loolted  to  Christ,  and  Ihe  snare  was  broken;  but  now, 
when  tempted,  I  was  eith'  )ffmy  guard,  or  reasoned 
myself  into  the  expediency  or  unavoidableness  of  it. 
While  un  r  the  power  of  faith  I  had  strength  promptly 
to  di  ny  myself  in  all  particulars,  where  I  either  saw  the 
evil  or  doubted  the  pr  priety ;  now,  if  the  thing  did  not 
appear  manifestly  evil,  my  conscience  partly  consented 
to  its  ado  tion,  and  partly  reasoned  on  its  harmlessness. 
While  ai  er  a  tender  sense  of  the  presence  of  God,  the 
le«f  t  emotions  of  the  will  towards  evil  were  watched; 
tlmt  car'^fulness  subsided  to  a  mere  repugnance  to  the 
outwar  "t  o  sin.  In  the  first  situation  1  did  every 
thing  to  i. oaf  God,  and  with  an  eye  to  his  glory;  but 
now  the  pTopri  ly  of  a  thing,  its  being  suitable  to  my 
situation  as  a  membei'  of  society,  or  necessary  to  keep 
my  conscience  unalarme<l,  or  my  profession  unstained, 
were  principal  reasons,  in  the  first  instance  1  aid  no- 
thing but  from  a  principle  «  faith ;  1  was  right  and 
in  my  own  mind  as  to  it  .awfulness;  now  I  did  mmy 
things,  the  lawfulness  f  which  I  scrupled.  Secret  pray- 
er was  nen  my  delight;  now  uecame  a  isk,  to  which 
I  had  lo  -onii  '  myaelt  b^  a  kind  of  co  straint.  My 
only  view  t'len  was  to  Me  holy  anci  ven  up  to  God; 
now  the  desire  of  many  n necessary  i  1  some  hurtful 
lings  were  interw<n   n     Hu  mj  prosp^   ts- 

1  might  trace  this  f  ifference  through  h  variety  of  mi- 
unfa',  and  to  a  much  g  -ater  extent;  t  i  .Huifice  it  to  sayi 
tbtti  tbe  fine  gold  wa8Di;(;ome  dii  *^^  ^  longer  re^  need 


78 


MEMOIRS  OF 


ill  God  aa  my  sin  pardoning,  reconciled  Fatlier  j  1  no 
longer  felt   the  Bpontnneous    ^tu\  peacefoUy  approving 
smile  of  my  own  heart ;  I  lost  my  unusual  tenderness  of 
conscience;  I  lo?    i»y  sweet  filial  confidence  in  the  Lord, 
the  pure  breathing  ardours  of  my  aoul  vanished  away,  unci 
partial  darkness  succeeded    the    beautiful  bunshine  of 
divine  favour :  to  use  the  words  of  an  elegant  writer,  • 
«» How  different  the  scorching  sand,  the  briers  and  ser- 
pents of  this  desert,  from  the  green  paetures  in  which  I 
once  fed,  and  the  still  waters  by  which  I  once  refreshed 
my  weary  soul.     Once  1  walked  with  God— I  could  be- 
hold his  face  with  confidence,  the  glory  of  the  Lord  was 
arisen  upon  me,  and  1  walked  all  the  day  long  in  the 
light  of  his  countenance.     Once  I  ha<l  free  access  to  the 
throne  of  his  ^race;  I  approached  it  with  humble  bold- 
ness, and  there  are  many  places  that  can  witness  to  the 
tears  of  joy  and  sorrow  with  which  I  poured  out  my  soul 
before  God;  but  now  the  re*  )llection  fills  me  with  dis- 
may.    I  have  now  little  heart  to  pray ;  conscience,  in- 
deed, drags  me  along  to  duty,  but  I  enter  the  presence 
of  God  with  a  slavish  fear,  or  a  chilling  indifference ; 
once  I  had  sweet  communion  with  the  Saviour  of  sinners. 
When  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  guilt,  I  saw  the  all-suf- 
ficiency of  his  sacrifice,  and  the  perfection  of  his  right- 
eousness; by  believing  l.entered  into  rest.     Under  every 
accusation  he  was  near  that  justifieth  me  in  every  duty 
and  in  every  trial ;  he  encouraged  mc  by  saying,   my 
grace  is  sufficient  for  thee,  I  will  never  leave  th  e  nor 
forsake  thee;  now  I  only  see  my  sins  and  my  enemies, 
but  where  is  my  Saviour  and  my  helper  ?  Once  I  expe- 
rienced the  gracious  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  by 
these  I    was  enlivened,  refreshed,  and  enlightened;  I 
clearly  saw  the  parts  of  duty,  I  could  harmonize  provi- 
dence and  promises,  1  claimed  the  privilege  of  a  child. 


ftnd  an  heli 

relieve  my 

iy   Spirit  o 

redemption 

his  ordinar 

no  less  tha 

my  soul;  I 

sweeter  thi 

at  his  table 

drink  inde< 

my  cross; 

the  sufferir 

abound;  tl 

peace   wit 

worm,  an( 

are  neithe 

when  I  c< 

providenci 

I  could  ec 

his  love  i 

now  I  kn< 

mercy  or  ^ 

I  go  forwi 

not  percei 

but  T  cam 

hand,  tha 

hast  thou 

hast  forsal 

way  ?  Am 

Egypi  ?  t( 

to  do  in 

the  river 

and  thy  I 

fore,  and 

bast  forsa 

in  thee,  i 


IP» 


«.  Jay. 


t      \     - 


JOSHUA  MAR8DEN. 


79 


ftnd  an  heir  of  God;  but  qow,  the  Comforter,  who  should 
relifve  my  soul,  ia  far  IVom  rae;  I  have  grieved  the  Ho- 
ly  S|)irit  of  Uod,  by   which  1  was  sealed  to  the  day  of 
redemption.     Oh !  what  enlargements  of  soul  had  1  in 
his  ordinances ;  how  often  did  1  find  the  sanctuary  to  be 
no  less  than^he  house  of  God  and  the  gate  of  heaven  to 
my  soul;  how  sweet  was  the  word  to  my  taste;  yea, 
sweeter  than  honey  to  my  lips :  what  a  feast  did  1  enjoy 
at  his  table :  his  flesh  was  meat  indeed,  and  bis  blood  was 
drink  indeed ;  and  Oh  !  with  what  cheerfulness  I  carried 
my  cross;  i  could  even  glory  in  tribulation  alho;  for  as 
the  sufferings  abounded,  the  consolations  did  much  mora 
abound;  the  storm  without  raged  in  vain,  for  all  was 
peace  within — but  now  conscience  gnaws  me  like  a 
worm,  and  the  promises   which  should  be  my  support, 
are  neither  within  reach  or   sight.     There  was  a  time 
when  I  could  see  him  not   only  in  ordinances,  but  in 
providences ;  not  only  in  hia  word,  but  also  in  his  works ; 
I  could  enjoy   him  in  my  creature  comforts ;  1  relished 
his  love  in  my  daily  food,  in  my  pleasant  walks.     But 
now  I  know  not  whether  any  thing  1  possess  is  sent  in 
mercy  or  wrath.     1  can  find  him  in  nothing ;  *  behold, 
1  go  forward,  but  he  is  not  there;  backward,  but  i  can- 
not perceive  him;  on  the  left  hand,  where  he  doth  work, 
but  I  cannot  behold  him ;  he  hideth  himself  on  the  right 
hand,  that  1  cannot  see  him:  and  now  might  1  not  say, 
hast  thou  not  procured   this  unto  thyself,  in  that  thou 
hast  forsaken  the  Lord  thy  God,  when  he  led  thee  in  the 
way  ?  And  now  what  hast  thou  to  do  in  the  way  of 
Egypit  ?  to  drink  the  waters  of  Sihor  ?  or  what  hast  thou 
to  do  in  the  way  of  Assyria  '^  to  drink   the  waters   of 
the  river?  Thine  own  wickedness  shall  correct  thee, 
and  thy  backslidings  shall  reprove  thee.     Know,  there- 
fore, and  see,  that  it  is  an  evil  thing  and  bitter,  that  thou 
bast  forsaken  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  that  my  fear  is  not 
in  thee,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts/  '^ 


^  MEMOIRS  OP 

What  deep  afflictions  dat*  their  rise  from  lhi«? 
The  loss  of  Jesus  is  the  loss  of  bliss  j 
Who  flies  his  Maicer,  stamps  a  curse  on  all 
The  sweet  enjoyments  of  this  nether  ball. 
The  more  he  wander^  still  the  more  undone, 
No  bliss  Bubsiantial  blooms  beneath  the  sun ; 
A  weary  waste  appears  on  every  hand,      0 
Bough  rocks,  night  brooding  sky,  and  barren  sand. 
No  bright,  no  smiling  avenue  appears. 
But  guilty  shame,  and  spirit-frightening  fears^ 
At  every  point  the  tortur'd  soul  is  sore. 
With  keener  pangs  than  any  felt  before. 
A  thousand  faded  sweets  illusive  rise, 
A  thousand  visions  of  departed  joys; 
Those  happy  days,  when  prayer  aspiring  flew 
To  the  blue  sky  on  every  breath  he  drew ; 
When  every  moment,  in  its  rapid  flight, 
Dropt  from  its  wings  the  balm  of  new  delight  j 
Are  past,  and  vanish'd,  as  a  lovely  gleam 
Of  morning  radiance,  or  delightful  dream. 
While  busy  thought  alone  the  past  retains, 
Embitters  loss,  and  aggravates  his  pains; 
His  peace  and  vigour,  light  and  joy,  are  past. 
So  blossoms  lose  their  beauty  by  a  blast. 
Where  opening  tints  of  fair  devotion  shed 
Their  living  bloom  and  beauty  round  his  head ; 
Spring  the  rank  weeds  of  levity  and  vice, 
And  choak  the  rising  plant  of  paradise. 

There  ore,  generally  speaking,  three  degrees  of  back- 
»Uding.  The  Laodiceans  were  guilty  of  the  first :  they 
left  or  lost  their  first  love,  and  with  that  blessing,  all 
the  tender  sensibilities  of  soul  which  form  the  most  de- 
lightful part  of  the  deeply  devoted  believer's  happiness 
and  communion  with  God. 

2.  Backsliding  in  heart,  when  in  quest  of  some  sinful 
pursuit, or  un'er  the  influence  of  at  least  one  or  more 
trirainal  passions,  the  heart  becomes  greatly  alienated 
from  God;  if  duties  are  performed,  they  are  formal;  if 
nraver  is  offered  up,  it  is  cold  and  heartless;  religious 
conversation  is  no  lougef  aueuuca  lu ;  i«c  -,vt«-.i  v-:  -<,,---.. 
t»  not  r«ad  5  devotion  is  often  reatrained  altogether,  to 


make  way  I 

evil  passion 

money  or  t 

tienoe,  fretfi 

the  tongue  i 

and  rash,  vs 

quence.     T 

nation  is  laii 

idhed  away. 

blest  functi( 

regard  for 

worship,  em 

the  outworl 

contribution 

blame,  and 

may  be  pai( 

actne&s  in  1 

do  we  seek 

penitence, 

prayer,  the 

interested  m 

ness  of  sin 

candour  of 

event  of  a 

seldom  posi 

3.  The  1 

clension  frc 

Here  is  no 

and  the  sc 

mire.     Th 

its  pleasure 

the  revoke 

pep'^d ;   mi 

nay,  rnay  c 

of  sinners, 

may  at  last 

eeatof  the 

blinded  by 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


ni 


make  way  for  worldly  business  or  unnecessary  visits; 
evil  passions  predominate;  the  love  of  dress,  the  love  of 
money  or  the  love  of  pleasure  prevails  ;  anger,  impa- 
tience, fretfulness,  or  discontent,  sadly  agitate  the  soul : 
the  tongue  is  no  longer  guarded;  slander,  evil-speaking, 
and  rash,  vain,  or  passionate  expressions,  are  the  conse- 
quence.    'Pfce   soul  grows  carnally   secure;  self-exami- 
nation is  laid  aside  :  and  tenderness  of  conscience  is  van- 
ished away.     Yet,  amidst  this  sad  defection  of  the  no- 
blest functions  of  the  heart,  there  may  be  some  outward 
regard  for  religion  kept  up ;  such  as  attending  divine 
worship,  entertaining  the  ministers  of  Christ,  supporting 
the  outworks  of  the  church,  by  at  least  some   kind  of 
contributions;  the   exterior  conduct  may  be  free  from 
blame,  and  the  illB  from  gross  enormities ;  some  attention 
may  be  paid  to  the  rotine  of  piety,  and  even  a  rigid  ex- 
actness in  maintaining  orthodox  opinions ;  but  in  vain 
do  we  seek  for  the  ardencies  of  love,  the  meltings  of 
penitence,  the  boldness  of  faith,  the  holy  fervency  of 
prayer,  the  meekness  of  patience  and  humility,  the  dia- 
interestedness  of  pure  and  undiscour-iged  zeal,  the  open- 
ness of  sincerity,  the  impartiality  of  reproof,  and  the 
candour  of  prompt,  thankful    acknowleilgment  in  the 
event  of  a  fault.     Alas!  alas!  the  backslider  in  heart 
seldom  possesses  any  of  these. 

3.  The  third  and  last  degree  of  backsliding,  is  a  de- 
clension from  the  form,  as  veil  as  the  power  of  godliness 
Here  is  no  exterior  of  piety ;  the  dog  returns  to  his  vomit, 
and  the  sow  that  was  washed  to  her  wallowing  ir.  the 
mire.  The  sinner  again  plunges  into  the  world  and  all 
its  pleasures;  into  sin,  and  all  its  abominations;  perhaps 
the  revolter  becomes  more  wicked  than  at  any  former 
per'-^t' ;  may  join  with  his  companions  to  scoff  religion; 
nay,  way  even  disbelieve  it;  and  from  going  in  the  way 
of  sinners,  and  standing  in  the  council  of  the  ungodly, 
may  at  last  have  the  hardihood  in  wickedness  to  sit  in  the 
Beat  of  the  scorner,  and  contemn  it  altogether.  Being 
blinded  by  the  god  of  this  world,  he  is  given  up  to  beiicTQ 


m 


MEMOIRS  OF 


a  lie,  to  deny  tke  Lord  that  bought  him,  and  count  his 
former  experience  mere  impressions,  or  downright  enthu- 
siaam.*  He  now  hates  the  people  of  God  with  a  perfect 
hatred,  and  aspires  to  the  terrible  infamy  of  being  an 
avowed  infidel. 

And  finally  the  last  restraint  thrown  off,  0 

Religion  meets  his  ridicule  and  scoff  5 

Wiser  than  what  is  written,  now  he  needs 

No  stupid  parsons,  or  fanatic  creeds ; 

Deems  genuine  piety  a  priestcrast  pest, 

The  Bible  nonsense,  hell  a  solemn  jest ; 

Pure  truth  is  foreign  from  his  soul,  and  now, 

Though  drench'd  in  guilt,  no  blushes  die  bis  brow. 

Callous,  unfeeling,  and  without  a  fear, 

Hell  in  the  front,  and  vengeance  in  ^  rearj 

He  rolls  in  sin,  till  justice  with  a  ficofwS, 

Draws  the  red  sword,  and  cuts  the  rebel  down. 

I  grant,  that  many  who  backslide  do  not  go  to  theie 
lengths.  They  would  probably  shudder  at  denying  the 
l^rd  that  bought  ttiem;  they  sin,  but  are  frequently  fol- 
lowed by  remorse,  and  sometimes  under  the  influence  of 
a  wounded  spirit,  are  plunged  into  the  gulf  of  despair ; 
or  by  divine  g^race  are  happily  restored  from  the  ruins  of 
their  fall.  -^  .    ,    ,  ^    , 

A  remarkable  instance  of  the  former  kind  of  back- 
sliding, and  final  and  total  apostacy,  happened  abcut  this 
time  in  the  town  of  Bolton,  near  which  I  then  resided. 
William  Pope  was  awakened  under  the  ministry  of  the 
Methodist  preachers:  for  some  time  after  his  awakening, 


•  Mr.  Wftsley,  in  one  of  his  Jcurnals,  mentions  a  singular  and 
awful  instance  of  mutability  and  apostacy  in  the  case  of  a  Joseph 
Humphreys.  This  man  had  been  a  Methodist  preacher,  and  pro- 
fessed  sanctiflcation  j  he  then  became  a  Calvinist,  and  joined  himself 
to  Mr.  Whitefield:  he  bow  wrote  against  Mr.  Wesley ;  in  a  little  time 
he  obtained  ordination  in  the  church  of  England,  and  ridiculed  all 
heart  religion  i  and  when  reminded  of  his  former  experience,  said, 
**  Those  are  some  of  the  mad  ihiui^  i  wm  va  my  folly." 


he  earnestl; 

good  degree 

moral;  regul 

prayer,  he  i 

grew  dlsput 

now  fell  intc 

scandalous  I 

fountain;  h( 

and  frequei] 

to  ridicule  i 

He  bad  n 

laid  the  har 

misgivings 

this  was  th( 

quest  of  hi 

quaintance, 

interview  h 

but  on  (hei 

tence  were 

rejectcid  all 

wished  to  h 

as  ever  he  ^ 

While  t 

ing,  using 

not  lawful 

side,  asthi 


*  The  can 
(a  most  exce 
lives  and  det 
means  have 
man  would  t 
Cvm  tua  sit 
the  author's 
opportunitiei 
death-bed  of 
or  too  hardei 
9  monument 


JOSHUA  ItfARSDEN. 


rd 


he  earnestly  sought,  and  at  last  happily  attained  to  a 
good  degree  of  the  peace  of  God.  His  conduct  was  now 
moral,  regular,  and  pious :  but  finally)  not  watching  unto 
prayer,  he  became  slack  and  lukewarm.  At  length  He 
grew  disputatious,  and  was  much  given  to  politics.  He 
now  fell  into  bad  company »  and  the  poisonous  works  of  the 
scandalous  Paine"^  coming  abroad,  he  drank  of  this  putrid 
fountain;  he  quickly  took  his  degree  of  confirmed  intidel, 
and  frequently  met  with  a  company  of  the  same  stamp 
to  ridicule  and  kick  the  Bible  about  the  room. 

He  had  not  proceeded  long  in  his  career,  before  God 
laid  the  hand  of  affliction  upon  him.  He  now  felt  some 
misgivings  relative  to  his  infidel  creed,  whether  or  not 
this  was  the  best  religion  for  a  dying  man.  He,  at  the  re- 
quest of  his  friends,  sent  for  two  ministers,  of  my  ac- 
quaintance, who  accordingly  visited  him.  On  their  first 
interview  he  manifested  some  slight  signs  of  compunction, 
but  on  iheir  next  visit  all  traces  of  even  seeming  peni- 
tence were  swept  away  by  the  flood-tides  of  infidelity  :  he 
rejected  all  counsel;  lold  them  he  hated  God;  that  he 
wished  to  be  above  Christ,  and  that  he  was  as  full  of  hell 
as  ever  he  could  hold. 

While  they  prayed  with  him  he  continued  blasphem- 
ing, using  language  at  once  so  hellish  and  awful  as  ig 
not  lawful  to  utter.  Calling  my  friend  Mr.  B.  to  the  bed- 
side, as  though  he  wished  to  communicate  something,  he 


m 


*  The  candid  reader,  by  consulting  Simpson's  P'^a  for  Relig-ion, 
(a  most  excellent  work)  may  have  au  opportunity  of  corapariug  the 
lives  and  deaths  of  infidels  with  true  christians ;  aurf  will  by  thl« 
means  have  au  antidote  a^^ainst  the  poison  of  their  writings.  No 
man  would  surely  say,  let  me  die  the  death  of  Thomas  Paine,  or, 
Cvm  tua  sit  anima  mea,  "  May  my  soul  be  with  thine."  During- 
the  author's  residence  in  the  city  of  New- York  he  has  had  frequent 
opportunities  of  conversing^  with  different  per&ons  who  attended  ths 
death-bed  of  this  de^^raded  infidel ;  but  alas,  ht  was  either  too  proud 
or  too  hardened  to  acknowledg-e  his  errc*r.  He  died  as  he  had  livet^ 
9  monument  of  infidelity,  druukenneas,  and  self-conceit. 


t4 


MEMOIKS  OF 


Kfted  up  his  hand  and  struck  him  with  some  vehemence. 
„  ering  at  the  same  time  some  awful  imprecat.ons,  and 
S  God  to  pour  his  maledictions  upon  their  heads. 
He  wa!,  however.no  infidel  now,  he  acknowledged  the 
tonth  of  the  holy  scripture  *  and  the  reality  of  a  M-^s- 
I  ah-  but  at  the  same  time  rejecting  all  hope  of  salvat.on 
ttt;rhim,  manifesting  the  greatest  possible  hatred  and 
malit^nily  towards  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

He  1  ogered  some  time  in  this  awful  stale;  increasing 
if  possible,  every  day  in  the  spirit  of  blasphemy,  hatred, 
rge    contempt,  and  scorn  of  God  and  the  holy  .crip- 
tufe  i  possessing,  at  the  same  time,  a  clearness  ol  ...tel- 
lectand  keenness  of  reasoning,  that  surprised  ma  y  of 
his  friends.     What  is  a  little  singular,  be  would  no,  al- 
low any  of  his  infidel  companions  to  come  into  (he 
Zm  -,  Lding  them  to  depart  and  be  gone,  as  they  had 
been    he  cause  of  his  everlasting  ruin.     ^  umbers  of  re- 
lijous  persons  visited  him,  to  all  of  whom  he  presented 
th    same  spectacle  of  horror,  reprobation,  --^  /-!-  ' 
He  frequently  said  he  wished  only  to  talk  about  the  de- 
vi     nd  he,l.fire,  and  that  it  gave  him  the  most  ease  when 
sneakin-  of  th  se  subjects.     He  appeared  sealed  to  the 
day  oTe°ternal  damnation,  and  awfully  fitted  for  the  man- 
,ions  of  infernal  wicke.lness.     For  some  time  he  con- 
t  nued  in  thW  ,Me,  the  measure  of  his  blasphemies  ue- 
eoming  d..  y  more  full,  till,  finally,  he  departed,  cursing 


»  I  know  not  bat  the  fearful  apostacy,  mentioned  by  St.  Paol,  Hc- 
brewsTl,  5,  «.  wa»  exemplified  in  William  Pope     "  For  .  ,s  ^ 

pSble  for  those  »ho  were  once  '"^f'^^f^^^^J'^^^^  a^ 
heavenly  frift,  and  were  made  partaliers  of  the  Holy  Ghwt,  and 
have  .asld  o  the  good  word  of  God,  and  the  powers  of  ho  wo  1« 
wome  and  have  fallen  away,  (for  »o  ^»f  .>r„..T.c  *onld  ^e  ren- 
S  'to  renew  them  .^ain  to  repentance."  Thi.  however  .s  on^ 
to  be  understood  of  a  complete  and  total  a-x»taey  from  God.  And 
':„'  1;!  mt^ns  apply  to'.he  ordinary  baeWiding,  of  prof^or^- 
fL  which  n,ay  the  Lord  preserve  n, :  And  may  our  motto  ever  be, 
Wntch  and  pray. 


JOSfiUA  MARSDEN. 


H 


and  contemDing  Jehovah  to  the  last  moment  of  his  ex- 
istence. 

I  continued  several  months  under  the  influence  of  my 
partial  backsliding,  for  I  never  left  the  society.  Indeed, 
Pharaoh's  yoke  was  not  more  irksome  to  the  Israelites, 
the  dashing  oar  to  a  galley-slave,  or  the  toiling  hoe  to  a 
poor  emaciated  West-India  negro,  than  the  inward  bond- 
age of  sin  was  to  my  soul.  I  frequently  strove  in  an 
agony  'to  break  the  snare ;  would  roll  upon  the  ground, 
weep,  groan,  and  conflict  with  the  enemy,  till  I  seemed 
to  have  no  more  strength  left.  At  length  the  Lord  pi- 
tied and  restored  me  to  my  forfeited  peace;  then  was  mj 
eyes  filled  with  tears,  my  lipo  with  praises,  and  my  hetrt 
with  gladness,  and  I  could  sweetly  sing. 


«*,  HI 


After  all  that  I  have  done, 

Saviour,  art  thou  paciried? 
Whither  shall  my  vileness  run? 

Hide  me,  earth — the  sinuer  hide. 
Let  me  sick  into  the  dust, 

Full  of  holy  shame  adore ; 
Jesus  Christ  the  good,  the  jus<;, 

Bids  me  go  and  sin  no  more. 
O  confirm  the  pfracious  word, 

Jesus,  Son  of  God  and  man, 
Let  me  never  grieve  thee.  Lord* 

Never  turn  to  sin  again  j 
Till  my  all  in  all  thou  art, 

Till  thou  bring  thy  nature  in, 
Keep  this  feeble  trembling  heart, 

8a ve  mC}  save  me,  Lord,  from  sin. 


WmEv'. 


ie 


MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  IV 


Bhoald  call  yoa  to  1'"^?'?,  "  „,„-,i„„  geMation  in  my 

idea  would  raise  «  P"°^^"^,^';flecfu,»umy  anfitneM 
breast.    I  was  deeply  pained  to  reflec     ,  ^  ^^^^  ^.^^ 

for  such  a  work  and  "-"^"^^^j^;'',;''  j.deed,  f«.m  the 
Ihc  saWaUoa of  my  (f  """^f  ^';;»,ed  himself  to  my 
time  that  Almighty  f^'^^^'^lZlu.ilon  of  others. 
,o«l.  I  felt  a«  ""'«"«  ***"t  ,•  in  every  sl.«p«,  ^n.l  on 
I  „.,  constrained  to  '"■'"^'X"  often  wished  for 
»U  occasions  to  «'=»'"™:',?''"'l'fZ,, unities  correspon.l- 
capacities  equal  to  my  ^l"' '"^'^''^^^^^^^  „orld  might 
ent  to  an  ardent  «al;  '    h«»Sht  'h  .^  ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^ 

M,  fellow-creatures.  ^^^  f^j,  „f  „y 

On  some  occasions  God  gav  e  me  relidon 

labours,  which  greatly  -X^C^ntCc"  ally,  the 
'"T  '  'f  GtirdeavJr-ysfnglr'circlstancethe 
goodness  of  <io.i  ma"e  a  verj.       »  ^^ 

S,ea„s  of  converting  a  -"*  U"^;     „  ^^e  pleasure- 

rr  r "iXTf  B^gett";  cTnal,  whil/some  of 
boatOQ  theDuKeoi   omo  i  nhaerved  a  serious 

the  company  were  ^ayj  f  J»*  .'j^^I.e  looUing 
young  woman  •" '^c ''oat,  «»<•  '  ^^^,.„„     ^he 

«»-  to  •he-^.'.r^MSfin  Shropshire,  a  disciple 


9f  l^Pt  bles 

man  lappei 

ciety,  but  I 

time  with  i 

at  Barton. 

the  canal, 

f.nd  I  to  R 

vised   me 

sented,  bu 

ing;  80  he 

ped  all  nij 

The  ne) 

bearing  tl 

man  of  th 

fortunes  ? 

Ihat  1  bad 

lo  have  i 

bim  to  re 

God  woul 

vroman  U 

into  anot 

perceived 

cd  that  B 

she  const 

any  thinj 

about  tei 

which  I  g 

ed  me,  Is 

must  go 

in  great 

"wishes  t' 

and  wh€ 


*How 

disappoin 
by  resorti 
teudiog  t 


JOSHUA  MAKSDfiN. 

A     «»!»«.  ;n  larflpl.  Mrs.  Fletcher :  the  old 
,f  ^^^^^^^"'^^^"^^^^Zm  Ihe  Methodist  So- 

e  ety,  but  h«  "««  ^  .^^„„„e  ,il,  the  boat  arrived 

n.rt  n      Ctl  o,d  »«,,  and  ■ny.eif  had  to  .eave 
Ihe  canat  and  strike  across  the  country    he  to  W-y. 

liparinir  that  I  lived  at  K — i,  asseu  mc  t» 

.0  have  »y  f-f  T:^:!^!    forle-teliing  tricks,  or 

into  another  room,  from  wnencr  „„„,,i, 

nerceived  she  had  been  weepiri,-  ..pon  ..hich  I  request 
Sd Tat  she  would  allow  me  t..  r^v«  an^  l.r.y  w  th  her, 
t  ctented,  and  I  took  n,y  .e..v  .  not  .magm^^^^^^^^^^^ 

anv  thing  particular  would  grow  out  ol  it.  However, 
aSout  ten  day,  alter  this,  coming  out  of  Bury  chapel,  to 
;"eneL.ywentonthesabha.ham^^^^^^^^ 

ed  me.  Is  not  yourname  "«-';"'  ^  .'^^''^^IfJ;;,  ,,.ea 
„„st  go  along  with  me,  f  »'"';„"';°;  ^  "'house,  and 
i„  great  distress  *''"  «>»««  /»"  7  ef  off  immediately, 
wishes  to  see  and  speak  with  you.    I  set  »"  ™  ' 

and  when  I  arrived  at  liis  bouse,  found  his  wife  deeply 

"how  ofte»  is  it  the  case,  tha.«.ose  whom  ««)  h»  w„™aed  by 
ai«.p,oi«tmen.  '-^"^^^^^^ZtZX^^  by  pre*- 
^:rX'^,  '^t^^rZ  haa  hee„  .he  c.e  with  tht. 


WVUMtU. 


MEMOIKS  OF 

flooTinced  of  Bin,  and  earnestly  .Iriving  for  mercy  anfl 
rvation         endeaTonred  1o  direct  and  comfort  her  a» 
;1ll  iTpo^ible,  and  in.  Utt.e  time  the  cloud.  v.n«hed, 
snd  the  Sun  of  righteousness  shone  U|K)n  her  soul. 
'"Hr  husband  w!s  a  worldly  man.  that  used  to  spend 
Ms  evenings  at  the  taTern.    Going  one  mght  as  usual 
^trke  his  accustomed  beverage,  «  '^'^  '  »™t  » 
mind  •  roy  wife  is  at  the  meeting,  while  1  am  at  the  ta 
«rn  •'  she  is  going  to  heaven,  and  I  am  go.ng  o  hell, 
r^^ligo  10  the   meeting;  he  did  go-divine   .mpres- 
sion  were  made  upon  his  mind;  he  was  a;va>'«-'"»^» 
feeling  sense  of  bis  lost  condition,  and.m  the  end,  join 
ed  his  partner  in  the  good  way. 

The  conversion  of  this  family  had  a  happy  eff^^'  "P^ 
tl.e  neighbourhood:  and  now  they  have  a   comorlable 
chapel  and  society  in  the  same  place.    Sometimes  I 
thought  God  had  a  design  to  employ  me  in  preach.ng  h« 
everfasting  gospel ,  and  this  impression  was  always  most 
strong    "he*  I  fell  any  particular  manifestafons  ol  dn 
•  TLI     When  I  walked  into  the  fields,  and  by  the 
Zrorrivl  -y  mind  wasso  full  of  ^^^^^^ 
would  preach  to  the  trees,  choose  my  text,  divide  my 
Sect,  and  give  to  each  part  all  the  energy  and  vehc- 
mtice'l  was'capable  of,  without  »»«  sing^  audi  o^^^ut 
trees    and  rocks,  and  tunning  streams.    When  look  ng 
forward  to  prospective  holiness,  I  would  sometimes  think 
whItlVe  of  life  would  be  most  favourable  to  a  con  inu- 
what  siaie  oi  appeared  so  truly 

ance  and  security  in  piety  ,  ana  aon«    pi 

'"VttholyT^ployment:  I  should  he  always  serv- 
i„gGt5."  Blessed' are  they  that  dwell  in  thy  house, 
ihev  will  be  still  praising  thee." 
'  2  As  a  delightful  employment,  "  How  amiable  are 
thy  taternacles'  O  Lord  A  day  spent  ia  thy  coi.tB  « 
better  than  a  thousand." 


3.  As  a 
generatior 

4.  Asa 
opportunil 
be  favoun 
and  be  m< 
fiibly  be  ii 

5.  As  J 

me  the  ei 

happy  wl 

God.     1 

were   ofli 

from  the 

about  by 

viate  fror 

lieve  tha 

duty,  or  1 

trite,  uni 

that  Go( 

good  of  li 

ought  by 

al  graces 

minister 

choly,  ai 

I  think  t 

little  hii 

his  own 

of  great 

fervencj 

alas,  bin 

barrenn< 

lul  expe 

ration  tl 

declinec 

ing  go8| 

trials  oi: 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


w 


3.  A.  a  useful  employment.  I  .hould  be  wmng  my 
-eneration.  "  He  wen; ,  -Jout  doing  good. 
^  4  Ta  congenial  employment.  I  should  enjoy  more 
opportunities  of  reading,  study,  and  improvement ;  should 
^favoured  with  the  conversation  of  the  «.se  and  good 
aid  be  more  abstracted  from  the  world  than  I  could  po^ 
tibly  be  in  any  other  situation.  j  «„ 

5    As  an  honourable  employment;  they  appeared  to 
me  the  excellent  of  the  earth.     1  believed  them  a  ways 
happy  who  were  thus  sweetly  engaged  in  the  service  ot 
God      I  thought  true  ministers  rarely  felt  temptation, 
were  officially  and  necessarily  holy  ;  were  delivered 
from  the  probability   of  doing  wrong,  and  so  hedged 
about  by  grace  and  duty,  that  they  could  not  easily  de- 
viaTe  ftom  their  christian  course.     I  could  not  then  he- 
Heve  that  a  minister  of  Christ  should  become  formal  in 
duty,  or  that  the  rotine  of  his  office  might  be  rendered 
trite,  uninteresting,  and  sometimes  even  k  some  to  him; 
that  God  might  give  him  helps  as  a  minister,  for  the 
good  of  hi.  church,  distinct  from  his  piety,  and  which  he 
ouKht  by  no  means  to  place  to  the  account  of  his  person- 
al graces.     I  did  not  for  a  moment  believe  that  a  rue 
minister  of  Christ  could  be  a  prey  to  O^*"'""'  "*'»"- 
choly.andthe  most  morbid  depressions;  much  less  did 
I  think  that  he  could  preach  con.fort  to  others,  and  leel 
little  himself;  encourage  others,  while  discouraged  in 
h    own  mind;  preach  against  sin  under  a  consciousness 
of  great  personal  defection;  inculcate  the  necessity  ot 
Lvency,  zeal,  and    liveliness  in  religion;  while  he 
alas,  himself  felt  much  coldness,  dulness,  formality,  ana 

barrenness.  These  things  I  «"«"^"''^'7;"f,K5i^C 
ful  exoerience ;  for  had  I  been  as  sensible  of  11  eir  ope- 
alion  then  as  1  am  at  present,  1  should  probably  have 
declined  all  thoughts  relative  to  preaching  'h«  e;«['«;'; 
i„E  gospel.  How  wisely  kind  is  the  Lord  to  keep  our 
trfalfout  ot  sight,  till  we  are  fitted  to  bear  them;  and 

H  2 


•  ■) 


m 


^~.^:- 


•0 


MEMOIRS  Of 


hhle  our  dimcuUieB,  lest  they  should  deter  us  Ton   -^uf 

"^"'I;  opportunity  offered,  I  frequently  exhorted,  prayed 
in  public,  and  held  prayer-meetingB ;  and  was  f  naliy  .a- 
duced  by  a  local  brother  to  enter  into  the  pulpi  ,  wheu  f 
opened  my  commission  from  those  words,  Numbers  xxn 
38      «  The  word  that  God  j.utteth  in  my  mouth   that 
shall  I  speak."     The  exercise  was  with  fear  and  ir-m- 
Idine;  1  had  to  support  myself  by  hoUliog  fast  the  pulpit, 
and  was  so  much  disconcerted  that  1  resolved  to  ven- 

ture  no  more.  ♦v.Snn- 

Many  think  preaching  the  gospel  a  very  easy  thinp. 
They  have  no  mercy  upon  the  slips  and  pulpit  blunders 
of  a  messenger  of  God.  Each  word  is  sifted;  each  sen- 
tenceis  wiredrawn;  each  foible  is  magmhed. 

Ask  t^ ;;  a  to  hear  an  honest,  worthy  man, 
Likf      < ".  n,  wedded  to  the  gospel  plan  •, 
PIftUi,  mw\e,  unadorn'd,  or  rude  in  speech: 
He  vnrmi  the  gospel!  No,  he  cannot  preach: 
So  vulfe  :i-,  coarse,  inelegant,  and  rough, 
Would  any  man  of  sense  go  hear  such  stuff. 
B— n,  'tis  true,  may  please  them  now  and  then, 

And  CI— kc,  that  able  master  of  the  pen; 

But  truth  must  borrow  charms  to  make  it  fine, 

And  Paul  in  Tully'a  classic  toga  shine. 

1  do  not  plead  for  either  a  wholly  illiterate,  blundering, 
or  incompetent  ministry  ;  but  where  good  go.pel  is  deli- 
vered with  good  sense,  though  the  language  may  be  sim- 
ple rough,  and  sometimes  inelegant,  the  manner  unpo- 
lished,  and  the  mode  of  delivery  awkward  and  uni)lea8. 
inff  we  shouhl  neither  undervalue  nor  despise  such  a  mi- 
niver. God's  altars  were  formerly  built  of  rough  stone, 
his  power  displayed  by  the  sound  of  r.m's  horns,  and  hia 

ikhest  treasure  deposited  in  earthen  vessels. 

But  alas!  many  of  our  nice  and  critical  hearers  arc 

only  pleased  with  fine  strains  of  eloquence,  great  learn- 


ing, and  critic 

ticularly   to  t 

more  solicitoi 

terial  zeal,    ai 

rary  attainme 

affable;  me 

plain  easy  ma 

God.     A  flusl 

them ;  one  tl 

parts,  than  ur 

hearers.*      ^ 

'verknew  «. 

yeen  acquain 

his  own  pO[ 

Methodists  i 

ministers ;  tl 

not  to  have  ; 

promote  this 

them  so ;  as 

pendent  of  t 

sway,  and  V 

Those  mc 

greatly  enc( 

frequently  i 

care  afforde 

enter  into  a 


♦  What 
A  sill] 
And  j 
And  f 
Or  wi 
As  wi 
And] 
Whei 
lie  ni 
Ilisn 
Displ 


I 


JO      CA  TM  \USDEN. 

ing,  and  critical  dig  isition.  1  do  twt'  apply  thi  ar- 
ticularly  to  the  Methodist  congregntions,  as  they  arc 
more  solicitoua  o^  piety  than  great. abilities;  and  minis- 
terial  zeal,  iithfiilnes*",  ^nd  diligence,  than  curious  lite- 
T,ry  attainments.  They  love  to  have  their  ministers 
affable;  me?  of  good  sense,  affectionate,  d  simple;  of 
plain  e'asy  manners,  and  deeply  devoted  lo  th.  >vork  of 
God.     A  flashy,  spruce,  finical  preacher,  do*  ase 

them ;  one  that  is  more  solicitous  to  slio  .  retty 

parts,  than  urge  neeJful  truth  on  the  consc  of  his 

hearers.*      ^  political  minister  does  not  pi  them ;  I 

-verknew  t^aeofthis  kind,  for  the  sixteen .,  cars  I  have 
ueen  acquainted'  with  Methodism,  that  did  not  both  lose 
his  own  popu        V  and  the  people's  confidence.     The 
Methodists  n«  cher  love  proud,  nor  yet  stiff  overbearing 
ministers ;  they   love   to  be  entreated  as  brothers,  and 
not  to  have  lords  over  God's  heritage.     Perhaps  it  is  to 
promote  this  that  they  find  their  preachers  poor,  and  keep 
them  so;  as  when  ministers  become  rich,  they  feel  inde- 
pendent of  their  flocks,  wish  to  govern  with  an  absolute 
sway,  and  will  neither  brook  restraint,  nor  bear  reproof. 
Those  men  of  God,  Allen,  Percival,  and  McDonald, 
^really  encouraged  me  in  the  work.     As  my  mind  was 
frequently  much  depressed,  their  tenderness  and  latherly 
care  afforded  a  seasonable  counterpoise :  for   were  1  to 
enter  into  a  detail  of  all  my  exercisr .  at  this  period,  my 


*  What!  will  a  man  play  tricks?  Will  he  indulge 
A  silly  iond  conceit  of  his  fair  form, 
And  just  proportion,  fashionable  mieu, 
And  pretty  face,  in  presence  of  his  God  T 
Or  will  he  seek  to  dazzle  me  with  tropes, 
As  with  the  di'mond  on  his  lily  hand  j 
And  play  his  brilliant  parts  before  my  eyeti, 
When  I  am  hungry  for  the  bread  of  life? 
He  mocks  his  Maker  •,  prostitutes  and  shamed 
His  noble  office  •,  and  instead  of  truth, 
Displaying  his  own  beautx ,  starves  his  flock, 


CovftM' 


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MEMOIRS  OF 


^1  narrative  would  be  tedioust  and  burthened  with  incidents 
too  gloomy  and  minute  to  be  interesting.  Suffice  it  to 
say,  I  had  some  qualifications  and  many  deficiencies ;  I 
had  an  ardent  love  for  souls,  was  happy  in  the  favour  of 
God,  and  felt  in  my  heart  the  vital  power  of  religion. 
To  counterbalance  these,  1  was  considerably  ignorant  of 
the  world,  was  but  young  in  the  ways  of  God,  and  unac- 
quainted with  the  great  controversies  of  religion.  It  is 
true,  I  had  a  natural  elocution,  and  could  express  myself 
readily  upon  any  subject  I  understood ;  I  had,  also,  some 
very  considerable  knowledge  of  the  holy  scriptures; 
they  were  my  comfort  by  day,  and  my  song  in  the  night. 
Yet  1  was  greatly  destitute  of  human  learning;  for 
though  I  went  seven  or  eight  years  to  school,  1  had  for 
several  years  been  forgetting  every  thing  I  then  learned ; 
hence,  I  had  little  literature  and  less  science.  My  ma- 
terials for  the  ministry  were,  therefore,  very  slender; 
but  God  did  not  despise  the  day  of  small  things ;  I  knew 
that  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners  j 


And  also,  what  some  bishops  may  not  know, 
That  scripture  is  the  only  cure  for  wo. 


COWPER. 


I  was  acquainted  with  the  doctrine  of  human  depra- 
^y;  that  man,  though  possessed  of  an  immortal  intel- 
ligence, is  a  poor,  blind,  fallen,  sinful,  miserable,  and 
(without  divine  grace,)  helpless  creature.  The  new  co- 
venant unfolded  to  me  the  great  scheme  of  redemption; 
and  that  taught  me  God's  method  of  saving  sinners  by 
the  atonement  of  his  Son,  the  power  of  his  Spirit,  and 
the  operations  of  repentance,  faith,  and  regeneration. 
Justification  by  faith,  and  the  love  of  God  shed  abroad 
in  the  heart,  were  the  «weet  experiences  of  my  soul ; 
and  to  increase  my  scanty  knowledge,  I  read  the  bible 
incessantly,  together  with  the  works  of  several  pious  di- 
vines, especially  Wesley  and  Fletcher.  From  these  I 
received  a  daily  augmentation  of  knowledge,  and  a  thirsi 


after  informi 
within  my 
knowledge  c 
more  perfect 
also  divinity 
taken  up  wit 
preached  to 
road,  was  frc 
plaining,  pre 
scripture.  ] 
number  ofs 
with  passage 
ley,  and  oth 
of  sermons ; 
memory,  an< 
the  discourse 

Some  ma] 
Was  not  yoi 
ners  to  repei 
convert  to  t 
either  in  his 
that  the  pars 
gospel  now-e 
of  them  vei 
Moses  for  n( 
prophesying 
for  flying  fr 
gospel  is  coi 
not." 

True,  bui 
particular,  t 
Mr.  Wesley 
standard,  aE 
dgainst  his  } 
where  men  ( 
ting  a  powei 
iaid  upoti  ih 


JOffiUA  MARSDEN. 


n 


after  information  induced  me  to  dip  into  every  thing 
within  my  reach ;  hence,  I  soon  acquired  a  general 
knowledge  of  history,  moral  and  natural  philosophy,  a 
more  perfect  knowledge  of  grammar  and  rhetoric,  and 
also  divinity ;  to  these  I  may  add,  as  above,  I  was  so 
taken  up  with  the  thoughts  of  the  ministry,  that  I  often 
preached  to  trees,  and  my  mind,  as  I  was  walking  the 
road)  was  frequently  engaged  in  dividing,  comparing,  ex- 
plaining, proving,  and  amplifying  different  passages  of 
scripture.  Having  a  good  memory,  I  stored  it  with  a 
number  of  scripture  texts  upon  select  subjects,  together 
with  passages  from  Young,  Milton,  Cowpcr,  Watts,  Wes- 
ley, and  other  poets.  I  sometimes  wrote  short  skeletons 
of  sermons ;  treasured  the  heads  of  those  I  hear  J  in  my 
memory,  and  accustomed  myself  to  repeat  large  parts  of 
the  discourses  delivered  by  the  best  preachers  I  attended. 

Some  may  say,  all  this  was  mere  human  preparation : 
Was  not  you  thrust  out,  and  compelled  to  go  and  call  sin- 
ners to  repentance  ?  To  this  I  reply,  that  I  never  was  a 
convert  to  the  doctrine  that  man  is  a  mere  niachine« 
either  in  his  christian  or  ministerial  call.  I  do  not  know 
that  the  parallel  will  hold  good  betwixt  a  minister  of  the 
gospel  now-a-days,  and  Moses  or  Jeremiah ;  they  had  both 
of  them  very  peculiar  reasons  for  wishing  to  decline; 
Moses  for  not  speaking  to  Pharaoh,  and  Jeremiah  for  not 
prophesying  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem ;  as  also  Jonah 
for  flying  from  Nineveh :  "  but  if  a  dispensation  of  the 
gospel  is  committed  to  me,  wo  be  to  me  if  1  preach  it 
not." 

True,  but  are  there  not  many  who  reject,  even  in  this 
particular,  the  counsel  of  God  against  their  own  souls  ? 
Mr.  Wesley,  our  venerable  father,  lays  down  no  such 
standard,  as  that  a  man  must,  nay,  will  be  thrust  out 
against  his  will.  There  have,  no  doubt,  been  instances 
where  men  of  strong  minds  have  suffered  much  fromoppo- 
ring  a  powerful  impulse;  the  burthen  of  the  Lord  has  been 
iaid  upoii  them,  and  iu  gruauiug  tu  get  from  under  it,  ihej 


^4 


mi:moirs  of 


%f 


have  pierced  tbemsel ves  through  with  many  sorrows.  But 
more  generally,  one  called  to  the  ministry  may  follow  the 
openings  of  a  plain  Providence;  and  as  opportunity  offers, 
judgment  prompts,  and  abilities  qualify,  first,  exhort ;  se- 
condly,  preach ;  and  thirdly,  give  himself  up  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry.  If  he  be  a  good  man,  and  honour  God 
in  his  life,  God  will  attend  his  word  with  the  vital  influ- 
ence of  his  Holy  Spirit.  Being  truly  persuaded  himself, 
the  love  of  Christ  will  constrain  him  to  persuade  others. 
Being  a  scribe  well  instructed  in  the  things  of  the  king- 
dom, he  will  be  apt  to  teach.  But  in  all  this  there  is  no 
compulsion.  God  constrains  no  man  (totis  veribus)  with 
all  his  might.  Hence,  those  brethren  who  have  written 
and  spoken  upon  this  subject,  have  not  suflficiently  quali- 
fied their  observations.  With  regard  to  themselves,  it 
might  appear  they  were  compelled ;  but  1  believe  this  is 
rarely  the  case,  end  ought  never  to  be  laid  dowu  89  a 
standard,  lest  many  should  be  discouraged  who  have  not 
this  compelling  call. 

Ab  I  mentioned  above,  my  first  essay  was  attended  with 
such  fear,  faultering,  and  perturbation  of  mind,  that  I 
thought  1  would  commit  myself  no  more.  However,  in  a 
little  while,  it  became  public  that  I  had  attempted  to 
preach,  and  nothing  less  than  my  making  a»new  trial 
would  satisfy  my  friends;  so  that  venerable  old  man, 
Mr.  Allen,  who  was  then  in  the  circuit,  published  preach- 
ing for  me  at  a  small  village  called  Sillinghurst,  near  Bury. 
I  made  the  trial,  and  had  considerable  enlargement  of 
heart  while  speaking  from  those  encouraging  words, 
**  Which  hope  we  have  as  an  anchor  of  the  soul,  both  sure 
and  steadfast."  That  holy  man  of  God,  Mr.  Percival,  who 
had  come  upon  the  circuit,  heard  me  preach  this  sermon, 
and  much  approved  of  my  weak  performance,  bidding  me 
go  on,  and  God  would  make  a  way  for  me.  Yet,  I  can- 
not but  regret  that  I  entered  upon  this  important  work 
on  early^  and  withal  so  unprepared :  the  many  snares  I 
hav«  met^  the  many  slips  and  blunders  I  have  made; 


the  many  sul 
culties  into  ^ 
the  intricate 
convince  me 
perienced,  fn 
work  of  the 
spending  fou 
little  Latin  i 
all  the  gods 
preparation, 
true  religion. 
I  do  not  ii 
be  either  a  m 
ing.  If  the 
ministry  is  tl 
while  it  requi 
investigatioD 
naturalist,  ai 
though  it  hai 


*  If  it  be  obj 
cal  education  \ 
education  is  not 
Methodist  prea 
by  a  compariso 
point  of  learnii 
ed  criticisms,  tl 
er  than  it  is;  n 
the  people  wer 
how  preposten 
Greek,  or  Heb 
in  the  congreg* 
scraps  himself, 
the  edification 
a  linguist  will 
liu^ist  is  pre£ 
must  garnish  t 
particularly  ai 
sants,     Vrmict 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


86 


tbc  many  subtle  Toes  I  have  had  to  encounter;  (he  diffi- 
culties into  which  I  have  sometimes  been  plunged ;  and 
tiie  intricate  circumstances  1  have  had  to  unravel,  all 
convince  me  that  1  was  too  young,  too  green  and  inex- 
perienced, for  the  critical,  arduous,  and  truly  momentous 
work  of  the  ministry;  not  that  I  supposed  a  youth's 
spending  four  or  even  five  years  at  college,  learning  a 
little  Latin  and  Greek,  and  becoming  acquainted  with 
all  the  gods  and  goddesses  of  the  pantheon,  is  a  better 
preparation,  or  even  as  good,  as  the  vital  experience  of 
true  religion.^ 

I  do  not  insinuate  that  a  minister  of  the  gospel  ^.hould 
be  either  a  novice  in  experience,  religion,  or  human  learn- 
ing. If  there  be  an  important  station  in  the  world,  the 
ministry  is  that  station ;  and  surely  n.ne  will  suppose  that 
while  it  requires  diligent  study,  deep  research,  and  patient 
investigation  to  form  the  physician,  the  civilian,  or  the 
naturalist,  any  thing  will  do  for  a  minister  of  the  gospel, 
though  it  has  the  head  of  a  block  and  the  mind  of  an  idiot. 


♦  If  it  be  objected,  that  the  Methodist  preachers  have  not  a  classi- 
cal education  ;  I  answer,  education  is  a  good  thing,  and  a  classical 
education  is  not  held  in  contempt  by  the  Methodists ;  as  there  are  some 
Methodist  preachers  who  would  sustain  no  injury  to  their  reputation^ 
by  a  comparison  with  many  clergy-men  of  other  denominations  in 
point  of  learning.  Did  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  consist  in  learn- 
ed criticisms,  the  advantage  of  a  classical  education  would  be  great- 
er than  it  is;  more  especially  if  the  whole,  or  a  considerable  part  of 
the  people  were  classical  scholars  also-,  and  except  this  be  the  case, 
how  preposterous  is  it  to  hear  a  preacher  quoting  scraps  of  Latin, 
Greek,  or  Hebrew,  in  his  sermons,  which  perhaps  not  two  persons 
in  the  congregation  understand?  and  should  he  not  understand  these 
scraps  himself,  it  will  not  make  the  least  difterence.  In  such  cases, 
the  edification  of  the  people  will  be  just  the  same,  and  his  fame  as 
a  linguist  will  not  be  at  all  tarnished  j  at  least  when  not  a  single 
linguist  is  present.  AH  therefore,  who  are  ambitious  of  this  tinsel, 
must  garnish  their  discourses  with  scraps  of  the  learned  languages, 
particularly  among  country  farmers,  mechanics,  and  village  pear 
sants,     Vrmcther'H  i^in't.  ofMetti.  P.  311.  Am.  Ed. 


^$ 


MEMOIRS  OF 


■^ 


I  say)  I  regret  that  I  began  to  preach  bo  soon ;  many  an 
Icarus,  as  well  as  myself,  by  aspiring  too  high  with  waxen 
wings,  has  been  plunged  into  a  sea  of  difficulties.  None 
but  persons  truly  ignorant  of  the  sacred  ministry  can  sup- 
pose, that  either  a  dunce  or  a  blockhead  will  make  a 
preacher  of  the  gospel.  If  there  be  persons  so  weak,  or 
ministers  so  injudicious,  as  to  appoint  to  this  office  sculls 
that  cannot  teach,  and  will  not  learn,  let  them  know  to 
their  everlasting  disgrace,  that  those  whom  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  called  to  this  blessed  work,  were  men  of  deep 
piety  and  good  sense. 

I  do  not  say,  that  either  piety,  or  study,  or  human 
learning  alone,  will  make  a  good  minister,  but  they  are  all 
necessary,  and  the  two  first  indispensable.  None  but 
itliots,  and  worse  than  idiots,  will  suppose  that  a  man 
can  preach  without  knowledge,  or  communicate  to  others 
what  he  is  not  possessed  of  himself. 

If  there  be  persons  who,  to  sanction  their  indolence, 
pretend  to  preach  by  inspiration,  and  advance  in  the  pul- 
pit what  a  christian  of  common  sense  would  be  ashamed 
to  speak  before  a  trio  of  chimney-sweepers,  let  them 
blush  for  their  own  nakedness,  and  rep^^nt  of  tho  non- 
sense and  absurdity  they  have  foistod  into  the  moat  sa- 
cred of  all  places,  the  puipit. 

We  ought  not  to  suppose,  that  the  iabletalk  of  an  old 
woman,  or^  the  skittish,  facetious  tales  oi'a  bufifuon,  tbrm 
the  proper  materials  of  a  sermon.  A  good  sermon  is  one 
Oi  the  finest  results  of  good  sense,  combined  with  i^ouiul, 
Tilal  piety.  Were  1  to  throw  ray  thoughts  into  verse,  1 
would  say  of  a  good  sermon, 


It  should  be  brief;  if  lengthy,  it  will  steep 
Our  hearts  in  apathy,  our  eyes  in  sleep : 
The  dull  will  yawn,  the  chapel  lounger  dose^ 
Attcutiou  flag,  and  memory's  portalo  close. 

ft  should  be  warm  ■,  a  living  altar-coal, 
•T*  melt  the  icy  beart  and  charm  the  sotd: 


After  son 
ers^  plan,  c 
variety  of 
twelve,  or  f 
or  twice,  ai 
could  sweei 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN.  Qf 

A  sapleas,  dull  harangrue,  however  read, 
Will  never  ronse  the  soul,  or  raise  the  dead. 

Itshould  be  single,  practical,  and  clear; 
No  fine-span  theory  to  please  the  ear ; 
'  No  curious  lay  to  tickle  lettered  pride, 

And  leave  tlie  pocff  and  plaia  uueditied. 

It  should  be  tender  and  affectionate, 

Am  his  Trnriii  theme  ttIio  vrcpt  lost  8aIcm^S  fate. 

The  fiery  law  with  words  of  love  allayed. 
Will  sweetly  warn,  and  awfully  persuade. 

It  should  be  manly,  just,  and  rational ; 
Wisely  concriv'd,  and  well  expressM  withal: 
Not  sluflTd  with  silly  notions,  apt  to  stain 
A  sacred  desk,  and  show  a  muddy  brain, 

Itshould  possess  a  well-adapted  gprace, 
To  situation,  audience,  time,  and  place ; 
A  Sermon  formM  for  scholarg,  statesmen,  lords., 
With  peasants  and  mechanics  ill  accords. 

It  should  with  evangelic  beauties  bloom, 
Like  Paul's  at  Corinth,  Athens,  or  at  Rome. 
Let  some  Epictetus  or  Sterne  esteem ; 
A  bleedings  Jesus  is  the  Gospel  theme  ! 

It  should  he  mix'd  with  many  an  ardent  pi^ayer. 
To  reach  the  heart,  and  fix  and  fasten  there : 
When  God  and  man  ore  mutually  addrest, 
God  grants  a  blessing ;  man  is  truly  blest. 

It  should  be  closely,  well  applied  at  last, 
To  make  the  moral  nail  securely  fast: 
Thou  -art  the  man,  and  thou  alone  wilt  make 
A  Felix  tremble,  and  a  David  quake ! 

After  some  time  I  was  received  into  the  local  preach- 
ers* plan,  on  Bolton  circuit,  and  regularly  attended  at  a 
variety  of  places,  frequently  walking  six,  eight,  ten, 
twelve^  or  fourteen  miles,  and  preaching  afterwards  once 
or  twice,  and  then  return ;  but  duty  was  delight,  and  I 
could  sweetly  sing, 


il 


»8 


MEMOIRS  OF 


With  thee  conversing  I  forget 
All  time,  and  toil,  and  care; 
Labour  is  rest,  and  pain  is  sweet, 
If  Thou,  my  Godj  art  here. 


Weslet- 


My  plan  of  preaching  was  to  commit  to  memory  any 
good  arrangement  or  outline  of  some  of  my  brethren ; 
and  so  to  fly  upon  their  wings,  and  to  plough  with  their 
heifer.     Sometimes  I  would  preach  from   an  outline  of 
my  own;  but  alas,  on  many  occasions  my  sermons  were 
BO  more  than  three  heads  and  a  conclusion ;  for  I  have 
always  made  it  a  point  not  to  substitute  a  rambling  ex- 
hortation for  a  sermon ;  not  but  this  may  sometimes  do 
great  good.     Gpd  is  not  confined  to  bestow  his  Spirit  be- 
cause a  man  luminously  explains,  and  beautifully  analy- 
zes his  subject;  but  since  custom  has  sanctioned  textua- 
ry  preaching,  as  the  people,  especially  the  wiser  sort, 
expect  the  subject  will  be  explained,  while  as  men,  we 
need  instruction  as  well  as  persuasion;   as   the  Holy 
Spirit  frequently  attends  this  method,  and  as  most  of  the 
purposes  of  public  teaching  are  better   answered   this 
way ;  we  should  not  think  lightly  of  a  clear,  judicious, 
fervent  sermon,  though  it   both  explain  the  text,  and 
greatly  improve  the  mind. 

Exhortation  may  be  good  iu  its  place ;  but  if  a  man 
nndertake  to  preach,  and  put  the  people  oEf  with  only 
an  exhortation,  will  they  think  him  a  workman  that 
needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word 
of  truth  ?  will  they  not  either  lay  his  inability  at  the 
door  of  his  neglecting  to  study,  want  of  genius,  or  not 
being  called  to  the  work  ?  A  good  sermon  will  cost  a  man 
much  trouble,  many  prayers,  and  painful  solicitudes.  It 
is  true,  I  have  been  acquainted  with  preachers  that 
iieverstudied,^ndmadea  merit  of  saying.  They  had  ge- 
nerally to  find  their  text  in  the  pulpit.*     Such  dabblcFS 


tt  '94.  ^^,,14    U^  yitaII  if  dii/tli  ni*Asirhpra  ivmild  nttend   to  what  OUT 

ycnerftble   founder  (John  Wesley)  has  said  in  his  note  opon  o^ 


way  step  fr 
iyy  into  th< 
the  Indians 
able  minisi 
such  a  prea 
the  author  < 
of  this  kir 
learning  w 
«  That  Pai 
high  mount 
man.***  Sti 
preaching ; 
rit  of  this  s 
dom,  as  wl 
and  cast  th< 
tions.  Wi 
is  so  sweet 
like  nails  fa 

For 
*         No! 

Holiness 
useful  gospi 
love  of  Chi 
persuade  ot 
be  a  greatei 


Lord^s  Sermc 
cannot  but  ol 
conceived;  e 
both  with  tbi 
not  this  the  p 
able  to  follov 
dare  to  pres 
Whether  ihe  ^ 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


99 


may  step  from  the  dinner  or  tea- table,  the  pipe  or  the  par- 
ty, into  the  desk,  and  make  a  good  exhortation  ;  or  as 
the  Indians  call  it^  a  Talk  ;  but  they  will  never  make 
able  ministers  of  the  New  Covenant.  I  never  knew 
such  a  preacher  either  command  much  respect,  or  prove 
the  author  of  extensive  good  in  the  church  of  God.  One 
of  this  kind,  to  prove  to  his  auditory  that  study  and 
learning  were  unnecessary,  gravely  told  his  hearers, 
"  That  Paul  was  brought  up  at  the  feet  of  Gamaliel,  a 
high  mountain  in  Judea,  and  therefore  was  an  Jgnorant 
man."  Study,  deep  study  and  prayer  are  the  soul  of 
preaching ;  hence  I  never  entered  so  much  into  the  spi- 
rit  of  this  sacred  work,  or  had  such  enlargement  and  free- 
dom, as  when  I  cast  my  subject  in  the  mould  of  prayer, 
and  cast  the  seed  into  the  earth  with  tears  and  supplica- 
tions. With  an  humble,  tender,  praying  heart,  nothing 
is  so  sweet  as  preaching  the  gospel ;  then  truly  are  words 
like  nails  fastened  by  the  Master  of  assemblies : 

For  let  the  sophist  smile,  the  scomer  sneer, 
^  No  l(^c'8  hair  BO  weighty  as  a  tear. 

Holiness  and  wisdom  are  the  grand  requisites  of  « 
useful  gospel  ministry ;  if  we  would  constrain  others,  the 
love  of  Christ  must  constrain  us  ;  and  whosoever  would 
persuade  others  must  be  persuaded  himself.  Can  there 
be  a  greater  solecism  than  a  covetous  minister  preaching 


Lord's  Sermon  on  the  Mount :  *'  Through  this  whole  discourse  we 
cannot  hut  obserre  the  most  exact  metiiod  which  can  possibly  be 
conceived  j  every  paragraph,  every  sentence,  is  closely  connected, 
both  with  that  which  precedes  and  that  which  follows  it ;  and,  is 
not  this  the  pattern  for  every  christian  preacher?  If  any  then  are 
able  to  follow  it  without  premeditation,  well ;  if  not,  let  them  not 
dare  to  preach  without  it.  No  rhapsody — ^no  incoherency. 
Whether  ihe  things  spoken  be  true  or  false,  comes  of  the  Spirit  of 
Christ." 

We$Uy^9  Notesy  ps^e  20,  Am..  e<fr 


JOO 


IjfEMOIRS  &P 


generosily,  a  passionate  meekness,  a  proud  lowliness,  and 
a  lascivious  chastity  ?  Thou,  therefore,  that  teachest 
another,  teachest  thou  not  thyself  ?  Thou  that  preach, 
est  a  man  should  not  steal,  dost  thou  steal  ?  Thou  that 
sayest  a  man  should  not  commit  adultery,  dost  thou  com- 
mit adultery  ?  Thou  that  makest  thy  boast  of  the  law, 
through  breaking  the  law  dishonourest  thou  God  ?  Hence 
the  necessity  of  holiness.  The  general  must  lead  his 
army,  the  master  set  the  example  to  his  disciples,  and 
the  father  to  his  children. 

His  preaching  much,  but  more  his  practice  wrought  j 

A  lively  pattern  of  the  truths  he  taught.  Dryden. 

A  preacher  should  live  near  to  God  himself;  this  will 
inspire  warmth  of  feeling;  none  will  so  readily  prevail 
with  another  as  he  that  is  warmed  with  his  theme;  words 
will  follow  of  course  wheo  the  mind  is  heated  and  in- 
flamed with  the  subject.     A  lively  sense  of  the  love  of 
God,  the  value  of  immortal  souls,  and  the  importance  of 
salvation,  will  inspire  a  preacher  with  eloquence  a  thou- 
sand times  more  forcible,  than  all  the  meretricious  orna- 
ments of  pretty  speaking:  but  a  cold  minister  will  never 
make  others  warm ;  a  dull  one  eannot  inspire  liveliness ; 
nor  will  a  formal  minister  ever  excite  bis  congregation  to 
fervency.     How  noble  a  field  has  the  pious,  affectionate 
minister,  from  which  be  may  select  the  most  moving 
subjects ;  how  feeling  a  theme  is  the  death  of  Christ, 
the  love  of  God,  the  joys  of  glory ;  how  interesting  to 
the  christian  is  communion  with  God,   the  beauties  of 
holiness,  the  solemnities  of  death,  and  the  awful  pomp 
of  the  day  of  judgment.     Deeply  impressed  with  these, 
he  will  speak  glowing  words. 

"Not  mov'd,  but  wrapt— oot  wakenM,  but  iuBpir'd." 

TXJhof  tnofio  iVio  nnr.ipnf  nrators  so  eloQuent  ?  They 
spoke  with  a  warm  feeling  of  their  subjects,  and  were 


altematiely 
patriotism. 
Rhodes,  w 
tion  that  c 
felt  had  yo 
eloquence, 
to  good  sp 
his  lips, 
buted  to 
scolding  a 
dering,  dri 
Tile  spirits 

He  prci 

I      He  som 

He  bor< 

And  si)^ 


A  tend< 
late  add  re! 
more  thai 
should  nol 
Weighty  i 
igpruce  ter 

Aloi 
IslU 

Not  vulgi 
pressions. 
1  now  f 
of  the  mi 
the  way) 
alas !  I  ha 
wisdom, 
my  suffici 
nreuare  t 


JOSHUA  MARSDEfJ. 


101 


•Itemately  moved  with  grief,  anger,  rage,  pity,  zeal,  or 
patriotism.  What,  said  iEachineu  to  the  people  of 
Rhodes,  who  were  greatly  moved  at  his  reading  the  ora- 
tion that  caused  his  banishment:  what  would  you  have 
felt  had  you  heard  Demosthenes,  with  all  his  irresistible 
eloquence,  deliver  it  ?  Tenderness  of  affection  is  essential 
to  good  speaking.  Jesus  wept— Grace  was  poured  upon 
his  lips.  Mr.  Whitefield's  powers  of  oratory  were  attri- 
buted to  this  affection,  which  is  contrary  to  that  sour, 
scolding  method  some  good  men  fall  into.  A  hard,  thun- 
dering, driving  way  of  preaching,  will  affect  some  ser- 
vile spirits,  but  most  love  to  be  drawn. 

He  prcach'd  the  ffospel,  and  he  preach'd  the  law; 
.      He  sometimes  drove,  but  always  lov'd  to  draw ; 
He  bore  his  great  commisBion  in  his  look, 
And  sweetly  temper'd  awe,  and  soften'd  all  he  spoke. 

Drydew. 

4  tender  appeal  to  the  conscience,  and  an  affection* 
ftte  address  to  the  heart,  will  effect  ihousand  times 
more  than  loud  boisterous  haranguini,^  Sound  words 
should  not  be  omitted.  This  the  apostle  recommends. 
'  Weighty  words  befitting  the  subject ;  not  finical,  flowery, 
gpruce  terms.  * 


A  low  conceit,  in  pompous  words  exprestj 
Is  like  a  fool  in  regal  purple  drest. 


POVE. 


Not  vulgar  phrases,  but  suitable,  decent,  dignified  ex- 
pressions.     But  to  return. 

1  now  felt  an  earnest  desire  to  be  given  up  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry,  and  also  a  wish  (if  the  Lord  opened 
the  way)  to  carry  the  gospel  into  foreign  lands,  though 
alas!  I  had  neither  the  fortitude,  patience,  prudence,  nor 
wisdom,  such  a  work  required,  it  is  true,  1  knew  that 
my  sufficiency  is  of  the  Lord,  and  was  confident  he  would 
nrepare  the  bark  for  the  storm,  and  the  soldier  for  the 
'    '  12 


102 


MEMOIRS  OF 


battle.  My  earneBt  desire  was  to  be  userul,  and  I  wish" 
ed  for  a  field  in  wliich  my  abilities  would  be  both  useful 
and  acceptable.  The  case  of  the  poor  heathens  appeared 
to  me  truly  deplorable,  and  I  felt  a  strong  desire  to  be 
instrumental  in  plucking  some  of  these  brands  from  the 
fire.  I  thought,  like  many  of  my  brethren,  that  a  mis< 
Eion  required  fewer  abilities  than  a  home  station ;  that  a 
man  may  be  competent  to  pfeach  abroad,  who  is  by  no 
means  fit  to  preach  in  England ;  but  from  thirteen  years 
experience,  I  am  persuaded  that  the  reverse  of  this  is  the 
Case.  I  grant,  that  had  he  nothing  to  do  but  address  a 
few  illiterate  blacks,  there  might  be  some  plausibility  in 
the  opinion  ;  though  even  then,  it  is  doubtful  whether  it 
does  not  require  some  skill  to  come  down  to  their  level, 
and  some  considerable  knowledge,  to  deal  with  the  most 
'^lljll^  peculiar  people  in  the  world. 

The  British  Conference  have  two  principal  Missions* 
UDjder  their  patronage,  Nova  Scotia  and  the  West-In- 
dies ;  to  these  I  might  add  the  Bahama  and  Somers  Isl- 
ands ;  the  last,  on  account  of  its  similarity,  I  call  a 
pretty  good  specimen  of  the  West  Indian  Archipelago} 


*  The  followiug  is  the  state  of  theillpiHodist  Foreig^n  Missions; 
they  we  supported  by  the  British  Mei^odlst  Connexion  at  a  very 
great  annual  expense  : 

Europe  and  Africa.  i  TWtola, 2176 

Gibraltar, 50| St.  Bartholomews, 200 

Sierra  Leone,  in  Africa, ....     50  St.  Eustatius, 246 


Jamaica, 865 

Bahama  Islands, .. .,  .505 

Bermudas  or  Somers  Islands,  135 
Nova  Scotia,Prince  Edward's 


Island, 
wick,.. 


and    New-Bruns- 


Wejit  Indies, 
Antlg'ua,  (whites,    coloured 

people,  and   blacks,) 2407 

Dominica, 600| 

Grenada, ,     93 

Trinidad, 188 

St.  Christophers, 2353'  Newfoundland, 220 

?»i'evi8, 882i  Prince  Edward's  Island, ....     50 

St.  Thomas, < . .     69  ,„     ,  .. 

St.  Vincents, 1133  Total  in  Society  on  Foreign 

BsrbfiCiocsj.  1 1 1  • .  1 1 1 1 . 4 1 1 »     40     MissioQ@}> « « i  >  •  1 1  •  •  i « 1 15^^385 


,1120 


of  the  formei 
greater  thai 
Most  of  the 
travelled;  tl 
deal  of  leisu 
to  many  in 
gard  to  the 
blacks  are 
read,  yet  wc 
ing,  talents, 
sometimes  t< 
refute  their 
requires  a  c 
kind;  not  ai 
tual  experic 
think  the  M 
ledge,  and 
gion.     A  ir 
with  men  w 
rious  inform 
acuteness; 
a  laughing-8 
disgrace  to  1 
have  someti 
jects  8tarte(] 
could  conve 
for  an  answ 
respectable 
when  asked 
ing  of  the  s 
countenanc< 
some  cross 
history,  ge< 
ments  of  ge< 


♦  If  any  on< 
wj  quaiificati 


JOSHtTA  WARSimN. 


168 


of  the  former,  I  would  aay,  that  the  par  of  information  is 
greater  than  among  people  3f  a  similar  class  at  home. 
Most  of  the  settlers  in  Nova  Bcotia  are  people  who  have 
travelled;  they  are  pretty  well  off,  and  iiossessinga  good 
deal  of  leisure,  have  superior  advantages  of  information 
to  many  in  England  and  the  United  States.  With  re< 
gard  to  the  Bermudas  or  Somers  Islands,  although  the 
blacks  are  not  informed,  and  numbers  of  th^hi  cannot 
read,  yet  we  have  to  preach  before  persons  of  both  learn- 
ing, talents,  and  respectability,  with  whom  also  we  have 
sometimes  to  converse,  to  answer  their  objections,  and 
refute  their  arguments.  A  missionary  to  a  foreign  land 
requires  a  competent  knowledge  of  the  world  and  man- 
kind; not  as  seen  through  the  medium  of  books,  but  ac- 
tual experience  and  observation.  Many  people  abroad 
think  the  Methodists  mei^  Goths  with  regard  to  know- 
ledge, and  downright  enthusiasts  with  respect  to  reli- 
gion. A  missionary  has  to  mix  on  different  occasions 
with  men  who  have  travelled,  who  are  possessed  of  va- 
rious information,  some  learning,  and  frequently  great 
acuteness ;  to  such,  an  uninformed  missionary  would  be 
a  laughing<8tock,  a  discredit  to  his  sacred  office,  and  a  ^ 
disgrace  to  the  peo|)le  that  gave  him  their  patronage.  I 
have  sometimes  been  dteply  pain.ed  to  hear  various  sub- 
jects started,  upon  which  none  of  the  preachers  present 
could  converse ;  and  who.  if  appealed  to,  seemed  at  a  loss 
for  an  answer ;  or  were  as  much  beside  the  subject^  as  a 
respectable  doctor  I  knew  in  the  Somers  Islands,  who, 
when  asked  by  two  ladies  present,  what  was  the  mean- 
ing of  the  sun  entering  Aries,  putting  on  a  very  grave 
countenance,  he  replied,  *'  that  he  supposed  Aries  was 
some  cross  planet  of  Venus."  A  general  knowledgie  of 
history,  geography,  grammar,  jurisprudence,  the  rudi- 
ments of  geometry,  botany,  and  chemistry,*  together  with 


M. 


tfe. 


*  If  any  one  supposes  that  I  have  raised  the  standard  of  mission* 
wrj  qutiiificatiouB  too  high,  I  would  refer  him  to  the  &ev.  Meiriii 


104 


MEMOIRS  OF 


# 


a  tolerable  good  knowledge  of  the  elements  of  Astrono- 
my  and  the  Belles  Lettres,  are  almost  indispensable  to 
the  useful  and  accomplished  missionary.  Nay,  I  would 
add,  that  a  knowledge  of  most  of  these  is  necessary 
to  a  thorough  and  competent  knowledge  ot  Gods 
Holy  Word.  Let  therefore  that  disgracelul  expres- 
aion.  "  any  thin?  will  do  for  a  missionary  t"  be  for 
ever  expToded  ;  for  even,  let  me  add,  that  the  very  wise 
and  imdbrtant  persons  that  use  it,  would  sometimt-s,  per. 
haps,  find  themselves  at  a  loss  were  ihey  sent  upon  this 
critical  and  momentous  errand. 


CHAPTER  V. 

In  the  year  1799,  Mr.  William  Black,  superintendent 
of  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Brunswick,  came  to  England 
to  solicit  missionaries  from  the  Conference  for  that  part 
Of  British  North  America.  My  mind  was  strongly  drawn 
out  to  offer  myself  as  a  missionary  on  ibis  occasion  ;  and 
after  some  deliberation  and  prayer  for  direction,  I  wrote 
to  Mr.  Black  ;  he  requested  me  to  meet  him  at  Manches- 
ter,  that  we  might  converse  upon  the  subject;  at  which 
time  it  was  pgreed  that  Mr.  B.  should  lay  it  before  the 
Conference  that  was  to  meet  in  London  in  the  year  1800. 
The  preachers  complied  with  Mr.  Black's  request,  and 
appointed  me  to  labour  as  a  missionaryjl  Nova  fecotia, 
under  the  direction  of  Doctor  Thomas  Coke,  as  general 


Home's  Letters  on  missions,  and  also  to  the  Rer.  Doctor  Adam 
Clarke's  Letter  to  a  Preacher.  I  say  the  above  qualifications  are 
requisite  for  an  accomplished  missionary;  not  but  a  man  may  be 
very  useful  as  a  preacher,  who  neither  understands  botany,  geome- 
try,  nor  chemistry ;  however,  a  kntwledge  of  these  will  both  add 
to  his  satisfaction  aad  ttsefuiaess. 


superintend 

taking  a  sol 

some  ofwt 

grave,  I  hai 

parture.     1: 

Messrs.  Lo' 

work,  youi 

haps  the  si 

constituted 

ever,  has  I: 

he  is  now 

Brother  Ja 

unwell,  w< 

with  some 

still  travels 

ment,  was 

school  som 

gard  to  my 

has  thrust 

halt,  and  i 

can  only  s 

as  well  as 

We  sail 

row,  capta 

my  worth 

was  enabh 

prayer  ev 

twice  on  t 

material  ( 

Newfound 

vateer,  wl 

but  being 

thought  fi 

little  aftei 

the  guard 

proved  fal 

self.     Th 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


lad 


superintendent  of  all  the  Conference   Missions,    Aft«r 
taking  a  solemn  and  affectionate  leave  ol  all  my  friends, 
some  of  whom  said  they  would  sooner  follow  me  to  the 
grave,  I  hastened  to  Liverpool  to  make  ready  for  my  de- 
parture.    Here  I  met  my  four  colleagues,  Mr.  Black, 
Messrs.  Lowrey,  Benuet,  and  Oliphant;  all  young  in  the 
work,  young  in  years,  and  young  in  experience :  per- 
haps the  sum  total  of  the  abilities  of  all  four  might  have 
constituted  an  able  missionary.    Broth'^r  P  "*net,  how- 
ever, has  been  a  pious,  useful,  and  acceptaoie  minister; 
he  is  now  superintendent  of  the  work  in  Nova  Scotia. 
Brother  James  Lowrey  left  his  mission,  being  somewhat 
unwell,  went  to  the  United  States,  and  after  meeting 
with  some  heavy  trials,  returned  to  England,  where  he 
still  travels.    Brother  Oliphant  giving  way  to  his  beset- 
ment,  was  finally  suspended,  and  I  believe  now  keeps  a 
school  somewhere  to  the  eastward  of  Boston.    With  re- 
gard to  myself,  I  have  gone  limping  forward;  the  enemy 
has  thrust  sore  at  me ;  frequently  have  I  been  ready  to 
halt,  and  sometimes  I  have  been  nearly  down;  and  I 
can  only  say,  that  I  have  endeavoured  to  limp  forward 
as  well  as  my  infirmities  would  permit. 

We  sailed  about  the  24th  of  August  in  the  Snow  Spar- 
row, captain  Humble,  for  Halifax,  in  Nova  Scotia.  AH 
my  worthy  brethren  were  very  sick,  save  myself,  so  I 
was  enabled  to  attend  them  in  their  affliction.  We  had 
prayer  evening  and  morning,  and  preaching  once  op 
twice  on  the  sabbath  during  our  whole  voyage.  Nothing 
material  occurred  till  we  arrived  near  the  Banks  of 
Newfoundland,  vfhen  we  were  chased  by  a  corvette  pri- 
vateer, who  bore  down  ujion  us  in  a  very  wariike  style, 
but  being  two  in  company,  and  both  well  armed,  she 
thought  fit  to  sheer  off,  so  we  pursued  our  voyage.  A 
little  after  this,  a  circumstance  happened  that,  but  for 
the  guardian  care  of  a  watchful  Providence,  might  have 
proved  fatal  to  several  of  the  missionaries,  as  well  as  my- 


I    i-U- 


self.    The  weather  being  fine,  ihe  day  caiui,  uuu  iue 


106 


MEMOIRS  OF 


ship  having  but  little  way  through  the  water,  as  we  had 
been  better  than  five  weeks  at  sea,  the  captain  proposed 
swimming  alongside ;  for  which  purpose  he  let  down  a 
stage,  requesting  the  mate  to  take  the  boat  some  dis- 
tance from  the  vessel  and  try  for  a  current.  Mean- 
while several  of  us  launched  into  the  mighty  ocean,  and 
were  swimming  about  the  ship,  till  the  mate,  who  was 
some  distance  off,  hailed  the  Sparrow,  requesting  those 
over-board  to  get  into  the  vessel  as  quick  as  possible, 
for  that  he  had  seen  two  large  sharks  swimming  along- 
side the  boat,  which  he  suspected  had  left  the  ship  to 
follow  him  :  thus  were  we,  by  the  good  providence  of  God, 
and  a  singular  coincidence  of  circumstances,  saved  from 
a  terrible  untimely  death.  Truly  we  were  enabled  to 
say,  as  Jonah,  "  I  will  sacrifice  unto  thee;  with  the 
voice  of  thanksgiving,  1  will  pay  that  I  have  vowed— 
salvation  is  of  the  Lord !"  Had  the  boat  not  left  the  vts- 
sel,  we  might  all  of  us  have  been  destroyed;  had  she 
gone  a  little  later  the  danger  was  equally  great;  had  she 
returned  before  we  went  into  the  water,  the  sharks 
would  have  come  back  with  her,  and  would  have  darted 
on  their  prey.  He  that  has  no  eyes  to  behold  the  par- 
ticular providence  of  God  in  such  events,  is  blind  as  a 
mole,  and  stupid  as  a  beast.  Praise  the  Lord,  0  my 
soul !  bless  and  magnify  his  holy  name ! 

AN  EMBLEMATICAL  REFLECTION. 

We  arrived  in  Halifax  the  fourth  of  October,  after  a 
passage  of  six  weeks;  all,  through  boundless  mercy,  in 
good  health,  save  our  worthy  brother  Bennet.  What  a 
lively  emblem  is  the  life  of  the  mariner  of  the  voyage  of 
a  Christian  to  the  peaceful  shores  of  calm  eternity  !  A 
thousand  rocks  and  dangerous  reefs  lie  hid  in  every  part 
of  the  faithless  sea !  Here  the  Tortex  of  despair  whirls 
its  boiling  and  tumultuous  waves!  Now  the  boisterous 
storiTiB  of  amictioa  blow  with  terribie  fury  '  Auon  gusts 
of  dudden  temptatioa  descending  like  the  wbite'vvingea 


squall,  terri 
the  soul !  '. 
gales  of  fai 
rent  of  eorr 
regular  cou 
rious  deptl: 
the  dead  < 
pursuing  hi: 
the  firmami 
a  clear  disc 
to  begin  a  i 
the  Immort 
the 

Wide 
AndU 
As  th< 

Thew 
Nor  V 
Heflo 
Thes( 


The  frie 
gladness,  a 
with  much 
the  world  i 
than  the  f 
spiritual  bl 

I  would 
Scotland ; 
tish,  a  pla< 
long  squar 
river,  to  tt 
northerly 
perhaps  tv 
yard,  and ) 
pouU'   He 


JdSHUA  MARSDEN. 


squalt  terribly  ruffle  and  agitate  the  peaceful  surrace  of 
the  soul !  Now  he  glides  sweetly  before  the  auspicious 
gales  of  faith  and  love — by  and  by  an  athwarting  cur- 
rent of  corrupt  nature  sets  hira  several  (loints  out  of  his 
regular  course — sometimes  he  cannot  fathom  the  myste- 
rious depths  of  Divine  Providence — and  often  through 
the  dead  calms  of  iukewarmness  he  is  hindered  from 
pursuing  his  heavenly  voyage :  though  hia  sun  is  still  in 
the  firmament,  yet  his  soul  is  often  perplexed  for  want  of 
a  clear  discovery  of  his  meridian  splendour,  from  which 
to  begin  a  new  data  and  pursue  hia  voyage — but  soon  as 
the  Immortal  darts  his  splendour  through  the  dark  clouda, 
the 

Saint  expands  his  wiugs 
Wide  to  the  wind  j  and  as  lie  sails  he  sings, 
And  loses,  by  degrees,  the  sight  of  mortal  things. 
As  the  shores  lessen,  so  his  joys  arise, 
The  waves  roll  gentler  and  the  tempest  dies. 
Nor  vast  eternity  fills  all  his  sight ; 
He  floats  on  the  broad  deep  with  infinite  delight, 
The  seas  for  ever  calm,  and  skies  for  ever  bright.     Watt5^ 


The  friends  in  Halifax  received  us  with  every  mark  of 
gladness,  and  welcomed  our  arrival  to  the  new  world 
with  much  christian  affection.  Perhaps  in  no  part  of 
the  world  is  there  a  kinder  or  more  generous  society, 
than  the  flock  at  Halifax :  may  they  never  lack  both 
spiritual  blessings  and  temporal  comforts. 

I  would  here  say  a  word  or  two  of  this  capital  of  New 
Scotland ;  as  it  both  is,  and  will  always  be  ta  the  Bri- 
tish, a  place  of  great  importance.  The  town  is  an  ob- 
long square,  extending  from  what  they  call  fresh  water 
river,  to  the  southward,  and  to  the  kind's  dockyard,  in  a 
northerly  direction.  The  whole  len^  lii  of  the  town  is 
perhaps  two  miles;  it  contains  a  large  garrison,  a  naval 
vard,  and  a  population  of  perhaps  seven  or  eight  thousand 
souls.    Here  we  have  a  spacious  mission-house,  a  large 


♦ 


MEMOIRS  OF 


oomoiodions  chapel,  and  a  respectable  number  of  worthy 

friends. 

Halifax  has  a  fine  market,  and  abounds  with  all  the 
blessings  of  life;  here  are  two  Episcopal  churches,  a  Ro- 
man catholic  church,  a  large  Presbyterian  church,  a 
place  of  worship  for  the  Baptists,  and,  1  believe,  across 
the  harbour,  a  Friends'  meeting-house.  There  is  a  fine 
Government-house,  a  house  for  the  second  in  command, 
a  Court-house,  Ardenal,  Marine  Hospital,  long  ranges  of 
soldiers'  and  oflficers'  barracks ;  with  a  number  of  other 
public  buildings.  The  town  is  the  residence  of  the  Go- 
Ternor,  the  Bishop  of  Nova  Scotia,  and  also  the  Admi- 
ral, during  the  summer  months ;  and  a  number  of  other 
officers  belonging  to  Government.  Many  of  the  build- 
ings are  handsome,  and  rising  on  the  declivity  of  a  hill, 
have  a  fine  appearance  from  the  water.  When  I  first 
arrived,  the  houses  were  all  of  wood,  elegantly  painted ; 
but  now  they  have  both  brick  and  stone  buildings. 

Halifax  will  in  time  become  a  place  of  great  trade  be- 
twixt Nova  Scotia  and  the  West  India  Islands;  the 
present  exports  are  fur,  lumber,  staves,  fish,  butter,  beef, 

and  pork. 

As  Nova  Scotia  has  long  been  upon  the  Minutes  oC 
the  British  Conference,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  say  some- 
thing of  the  work  of  God  in  it.  The  first  particular  stir 
about  religion  in  this  cold  and  little  known  colony,  was 
among  a  few  Methodist  emigrants  from  Yorkshire,  as- 
sisted by  a  Mr.  Scur,  who  had  been,  and  then  acted  as  a 
class-leader.  About  this  time  a  Mr.  Allen,  a  New-Light 
preacher,  went  about  the  country,  and  became  the  means 
of  good  to  many ;  he  appears  to  have  been  an  upright, 
but  mistaken  man ;  he  held  many  singular  and  absurd 
opinions. 

Mr.  Black,  whose  father  had  emigrated  from  Hudder- 
field,  was  now  raised  up,  and  has  for  many  years  been  a 
faithful  and  laborious  minister  of  the  gospel.  John  and 
Jameg  Manu  came  Irom  the  United  States  to  this  pro- 


vince duri 
truly  uacfu 
retteon  wa 
travelled  t 
Mr.  Wesh 
charge  of  t 
acceptable 
Mr.  M'Cc 
having  be< 
upon  the  i 
he  has  be 
time  to  ti 
United  St 
and  left  tfa 
been  sent 
Mr.  Abral 
cause  to  n 

There  \ 
William  I 
and  John 
The  follow 
verpool,  01 
the  capita 
Sbelburn 
the  penin 
to  this  last 
part  of  N( 
the  provii 
ed  by  the 
St.  Lawrc 
the  isthmi 

The  CO 
Yorkshire 
worthy  ra 
sowed,  an 
apirituat  b 
past  has  If 


JOSIIUA  MARSDEN. 


109 


vince  during  the  war ;  they  have  for  many  yearsTbeen 
truly  useful.  A  few  years  after  the  war,  Freeborn  Gar- 
retison  was  appointed  to  a  mission  in  this  country,  and 
travelled  the  peninsula  with  great  success.  Afterwards 
Mr.  Wesley  sent  James  Wray  from  England  to  take 
charge  of  the  work,  who,  though  a  good  man,  was  not  so 
acceptable ;  he  died  on  a  mission  to  the  West  Indies. 
Mr.  M'Coll  was  sergeant  in  a  Scotch  regiment,  and 
having  been  converted  himself,  settled  at  St.  Stephensi 
upon  the  river  St.  Croix,  which  lorms  the  boundary  line ; 
he  has  been  very  useful.  To  these  were  added,  from 
time  to  time,  a  number  of  young  preachers  from  the 
United  States,  many  of  whom  went  back,  some  locctted, 
and  left  the  work,  others  died :  only  one  migsionary  had 
been  sent  by  the  British  Conference  prior  to  our  arrival, 
Mr.  Abraham  John  Bishop,  whom  1  shall  hereafter  have 
cause  to  mention. 

There  were  in  the  country  at  this  time,  (1800,)  brother 
William  Black,  John  and  James  Mann,  Duncan  M*Coll, 
and  John  Cooper,  who  has  since  joined  the  Baptists. 
The  following  circuits  were  destitute  of  preachers ;  Li- 
verpool, on  the  eastern  shores  of  the  Atlantic  ;  St.  John, 
the  capital  of  New  Brunswick,  on  the  bay  of  Fundy; 
Shelburn  or  Port  Roseway ;  Windsor,  in  the  centre  of 
the  peninsula ;  and  Cumberland,  at  the  entrance  of  it : 
to  this  last  place  I  was  appointed.  My  circuit  was  that 
part  of  Nova  Scotia  that  included  the  boundary  line  of 
the  province  of  New  Brunswick ;  the  land  being  indent- 
ed by  the  bay  of  Pundy  on  the  one  side,  antl  the  gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence  on  the  other,  may  very  properly  be  called 
the  isthmus  of  Nova  Scotia. 

The  county  of  Cumberland  is  mostly  settled  by  old 
Yorkshire  farmers  or  their  descendants,  many  of  them 
worthy  men.  Here  the  seed  of  Metho<lism  was  first 
sowed,  and  a  revival  of  religion  took  place,  which  gave 
apiriiuai  blrlhto  Mr.  Wiiiiam  Black,  who  fer  thirty  years 
past  has  laboured  in  North  America. 


nil 


MEMOIRS  OF 


After  staying  a  litlle  while  in  Halirax,  I  set  off  for  mj 
•ircuit,  where  the  people  having  no  preacher,  received 
me  with  singular  satisfaction  and  kindnesS)  and  were 
very  indulgent  to  my  weakness  and  inability.  My  cir- 
cuit was  forty  miles  long,  the  roads  bad,  and  sometimes 
the  weather  also;  however,  I  felt  determined,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  to  devote  myself  to  his  glory.  This  was 
2ate  in  the  fall;  the  weather  now  became  remarkably 
cold.  Indeed  no  one  that  has  only  been  used  to  the 
cold  of  an  English  winter,  can  conceive  the  intense  se- 
verity of  the  winters  in  Nova  -Scotia :  sometimes  the 
snow  is  four  feet  deep,  the  ice  upon  the  rivers  two  and 
faree  feet  thick.  The  cold  penetrates  the  warmest 
rooms,  the  warmest  clothes,  and  the  warmest  conatitu- 
iions,  and  frequently  freezes  to  death  those  who  lose 
their  way  in  the  woods,  or  get  bewildered  in  a  snow- 
Mtorm.— Truly  may  it  be  said  here.  Who  can  stand  be< 
lore  His  cold  ?  In  a  little  while  I  was  attacked  with  a 
cough  and  hoarseness,  and  my  frequent  exposures  in- 
Creased  them  to  such  a  degree,  as  nearly  deprived  me 
of  sleep  ;  however,  as  the  quarterly  meeting  was  coming 
on,  I  would  not  give  up,  and  continued  travelling  and 
preaching  till  the  day  on  which  it  took  place. 

On  the  same  evening,  I  rode  several  miles  to  my  ap- 
pointment, and  gave  my  cold  the  finishing  stroke.  The 
next  day,  being  very  unwell,  I  took  to  my  room ;  but 
after  a  week's  confinement,  I  again  ventured  out  to 
preach,  and  came  home  with  a  violent  fever;  my  flesh 
burned  like  a  fire,  and  yet  I  shivered  with  cold.  1  had 
now  to  take  my  bed  in  good  earnest,  to  which  and  my 
room  I  was  confined  eight  weeks;  but  during  my  atflic* 
tion  I  had  such  a  display  of  the  power  of  religion,  as  is 
beyond  human  language  to  describe ;  such  sweet  com- 
munion with  God;  such  soul- ravishing  manifestations  of 
bis  love,  as  exceeded  all  my  ideas  of  spiritual  enjoy^ 
pient.  My  room  was  an  Eden,  and  my  bed  appeared  to 
\^  the  fiotoh  of  heaven.    1  could  h^ve  been  willing  to 


bear  an  ag 

Pain  and  ^ 

joy, and  p 

vils  in  hell 

me  this  w 

But  sha 

ic  part  of 

the  stiff  F 

Are  we  tc 

eet  honou 

ravishing 

tetus?  SI 

rowed  fro 

cicut  day 

present  di 

Eacl 

Blis 

The 

The 

The 

Th< 

Th« 

Th< 

Arc 

Th( 

In  I 

Th. 

Th( 

Th 

Th 

Be 

This 
though  ] 
remarka 
experier 

■  ■vakM        nii# 

\Ta3    was 

growth, 
tons  m 


JOSHUA  MARSbEN. 


Ill 


bear  an  age  of  suffering  for  such  a  heaven  of  enjoyment. 
Pain  and  weakness  did  not  prevent  me  from  weeping  for 
joy,  and  praising  God  all  the  day.     Surely  if  all  the  de- 
vils in  hell,  and  all  the  deists  upon  earth,  were  to  persuade 
me  this  was  only  imagination,  I  would  not  believe  them. 
But  shall  we  give  up  the  noble,  the  sweet,  the  seraph- 
ic part  of  evangelical  piety,  to  the  cold-hearted  moralist^ 
the  stiff  Pharisee,  or  the  sceptical  and  captious  deist  ? 
Are  we  to  lay  the  noblest  emotions  of  religion,  the  pur- 
est honours  of  the  cross,  and  the  most  lovely  and  soul- 
ravishing  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  at  the  feet  of  Zeno  or  Epic- 
tetus  ?  Shall  we  measure  our  religion  by  a  standard  bor- 
rowed from  the  cold  and  uninllamed  philosophers  of  an- 
cient days,  or  the  fastidious  nominal  christians  of  the 
present  day?  By  these 

Each  pure  seraphic  bliss  that  warms  the  saint, 
Bliss  which  no  human  eloquence  can  paint, 
The  peace  that  forms  an  Eden  in  the  soul, 
The  joys  that  sweetly  rise  and  gently  roll, 
The  sacred  commerce  of  a  soul  above, 
The  ardent  flame  of  pure  ecstatic  love. 
The  tears  that  tell  our  crimson  sins  forgiven, 
The  sighs  that  waft  the  raptured  soul  to  heaven, 
Are  deera'd  a  sprightly  fancy,  or  at  best, 
The  soft  emotions  of  an  amorous  breast.  * 

In  apostolic  days,  they  will  allow, 
The  saints  had  joys,  but  can't  believe  them  now  : 
These  sacred  streams  above  their  level  rise, 
This  standard's  too  exalted  for  their  size  ; 
They  spurn  the  Christian's  sweet  experience, 

Because  above  the  summit  of  their  sense. 

This  affliction  was  the  gate  of  heaven  to  my  soul 
though  I  cannot  ascribe  these  luminous  manifestatioris  to 
remarkable  faithfulness,  nor  yet  to  an  uncommonly  deep 
experience  in  divine  things.  With  regard  to  religion,  I 
.y„-  ij„*  o  «oiinj5  pilgi'im,  and  as  it  respects  ministerial 
growth,  jii»t''in  m}  "infancy.  Perhaps  the  foUowing  rea- 
gons  may  be  assigned ;  I  was  far  from  home,  was  a 


n-2 


fr 
MEMOIRS  OF 


stranger  in  a  strange  land,  was  just  as  it  were  beginning 
tny  niissiouary  career,  and  being  stopped  at  the  very 
threshold,  might  have  sunk  into  deep  dejection,  had  not 
God  wonderfully  and  graciously  supported  nie.  I  had 
tasted  much  of  the  sweetness  of  religion,  but  now  the 
Lord  gave  me  a  deep  and  delightful  draught,  to  prepare 
me  for  the  blessed  work  to  which  I  have  good  reason  to 
believe  his  providence  hao  called  me.  On  this  sick  bed 
I  had  an  opportunity  of  meditating  upon  the  blessed 
truths  of  the  Gospel,  each  of  which  now  shone  with  a 
new  evidence  to  my  soul,  and  brought  some  divine  con- 
solation along  with  it.  Never  did  the  ministry  of  the 
Gospel  appear  either  so  desirable  or  important  as  on  that 
occasion.  If  a  wish  for  recovery  stole  across  my  mind» 
it  was  while  reflecting  on  the  precious  love  of  Christ  to 
sinners.  How  sweetly  did  my  soul  enter  into  the  expe- 
rience of  those  lines : 

-  ^  Happy,  if  with  my  latest  breath 

I  may  but  g^asp  his  name. 
Preach  him  to  all,  and  cry  in  death, 
Behold,  behold  the  Lamb !  Wesley, 

Nothing  was  more  plain  to  me  during  this  illness,  than 
the  supreme  and  eternal  divinity  of  the  ineffable  Re- 
deemer. I  could  have  staked  my  eternal  all  upon  this 
truth ;  and  if  Saint  Athanasius  had,  in  addition  to  the 
testimony  of  holy  Scripture,  such  an  inward  evi- 
dence, I  do  not  wonder  at  the  bold,  decided,  and  perse- 
vering stand  he  made  against  Arianism— nor  yet,  that 
he  should  call  Arianism  the  sin  against  the  Holy  Ghost. 
This  appeared  to  me  Ih  e  key-stone  of  the  christian  arch ; 
the  centre  of  union  to  the  whole  system  ;  the  light,  and 
life,  and  all-pervading  soul  of  religion.  If  we  rob  Christ 
of  his  glory,  and  tear  this  noblest  tenet  from  the  creed, 
what  is  there  in  the  christian  religion  but  a  farrago  of 
idolatry,  or  a  system  of  deism  ? 

I  recollect  once  to  have  heard  in  England  an  eminent 
iBinister  of  the  gospel,  eo  to  identify  bis  eternal  salra- 


MtlfP:-^ 


•* 


tion  with  I 
was-  coutei 
which  my 
am  I." 

Some  of 

coming  in 

that  I  migl 

a  crucified 

freshing  ti 

tion,  pervi 

poignant  g 

their  afflic 

weeks,  th( 

to  my  disc 

and  snatcl 

could  I  sj 

^vorks  of 

^fK  g«ip 

had  more 

experienc 

the  Rede< 

best  wine 

Till 
Thy 
And 
Witl 

If  I  e^ 

thodisls  c 
had  not, 
I  know  t 
Paul  to  t 
ceived  th 
th^t  we  1 

▼ered  fr* 
ftom  bar 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


113 


tion  with  this  important  doctrine,  as  to  assert,  that  he 
was.  content  to  be  damned  if  Christ  were  not  God ;  to 
which  my   soul  replied   with  all  its  powers,  "  and  bo 

am  I."  ...       .      .. 

.    Some  of  my  friends  from  different  parts  of  the  circuit 
coming  in  to  see  me,  I  desired  to  be  propped  up  in  bed, 
that  I  might  once  more  have  the  pleasure  of  preaching 
a  crucified  Saviour;  and  it  was  a  most  solemn  and  re- 
freshing time.     Sighs  and  tears,  wee[)ing  and  lamenta- 
tion, pervaded  the  little  audience,    who  felt  the  most 
poignant  ^ef  at  the  idea  of  being  so  soon  separated  from 
their  afflicted  brother  and  recent  pastor.     Alter  a  few 
weeks,  thlJhL^  was  pleased  to  give  a  favourable  tarn 
to  my  disordSf  and  raise  me  from  the  bed  of  languishing, 
and  snatch  me  from  the  very  porch  of  the  grave.     Then 
could  1  say,  I  shall  not  die,  but  live,  and  declare  the 
Avorks  of  the  Lord.— Surely  if  I  had   then  died,  death 
xlk  gain ;  but  unerring  wisdom  knows  what  is  beat.     I 
had  more  work  to  do,  more  affliction  to  suffer,  and  more 
experience   to  gain;  the  set  time  was  not  come.     May 
the  Redeemer  grant,  that  .when  the  moment  arrives  the 
best  wine  may  be  reserved  to  the  last. 


Till  glad  I  lay  my  body  down, 
Thy  servant,  Lord,  attend  j 
And  O,  my  life  of  mercy  crown 
With  a  triumphant  end. 


Wesley. 


If  I  ever  experienced  what  Mr.  Wesley  and  the  Me- 
thodists call  perfect  love,  it  was  during  this  sickness.— I 
had  not,  it  is  true,  the  distinct  explicit  witness;  nor  do 
I  know  that  this  is  promised,  unless  that  -  ^sageof  St. 
Paul  to  the  Corinthians  is  in  point,  "  We  »dve  not  re- 
ceived the  spirit  of  the  world,  but  the  spirit  that  is  of  God, 
thftt  we  might  know  the  things  that  are  freely  given  to  ua 
^  ri«.i_h.,f  I  inrpil  find  with  all  mv  heart :  I  was  deh- 
▼ered  from  slavish  fears,  from  impatience,  from  angef, 
from  hardneBB  of  heart  j  my  heart  was  continually  melt- 

K2 


114 


AtBMOIIta  9F 


ed  as  in  (he  fire  of  love,  and  dissolved  to  tenderness  ami 
thanksgiving.  I  could  rejoice  evermore — pray  without 
ceasing,  and  in  every  thing  give  thanks— 1  lelt  a  su- 
preme ilelight  in  God,  and  an  ardent  desire  to  do  and 
suffer  his  righteous  will;  and  all  this  was  accompanied 
with  the  deepest  humility  and  self-abasement,  joined  to 
a  most  piercing  sense  of  my  nothingness  without  Christ. 
All  me  !  that  I  should  ever  lose  one  inch  of  this  precious 
ami  delectuble  ground;  for  surely  then  my  soul  fed  in 
the  green  jjastures,  and  drank  of  the  living  streams  of 
perfect  love!  ^k  -f 

As  my  strength  recruiled  I  longed  to  rec<jRrience  the 
blessed  work  of  my  mission,  and  go  oi||  a|»bn  the  cir- 
cuit; and  truly  the  first  sermon  I  preacllltl  after  my  re- 
covery was  with  the  Holy  Ghost  sent  down  from  above— 
the  hardest  hearts  were  smitten  as  when  a  rock  is  broken 
to  pieces  by  the  strokes  of  a  mighty  hammer.  When JJie 
spring  returned  I  set  off  for  our  little  conferencjii^jiyMWi 
was  at  Annopolis ;  for  though  in  Nova  Scotia  we  have 
only  from  eight  to  ten  preachers,  we  meet  every  year, 
anti  as  far  as  possible  imitate  the  connexion  at  home. 
On  these  occasions  our  meetings  were  very  refreshings 
for  as  iron  sharpeneth  iron  so  doth  the  face  of  a  man  his 
friend  :  separated  from  each  other  all  the  rest  of  the  year 
by  bays,  rivers,  and  large  tracts  of  wilderness  country, 
the  pleasure  of  meeting  becomes  at  once  a  source  of  ra- 
Monal  satisfaction  and  a  means  of  renewed  friendship,  as 
there  are  few  preachers  in  any  part  ol  the  world  more 
cordially  attached  to  each  other  than  the  missionaries  in 
Nova  Scotia. 

I  would  observe,  with  regard  to  the  inhabitants  of  this 
cold  wilderness  country,  that  they  are  in  general  a  kind, 
friendly,  and  hospitable  people;  it  is  true,  there  area 
great  variety  of  religious  opinions,  and  the  minds  of  rnft- 
ny  have  been  noiHoned  with  the  worst  kind  of  AntinQ» 
mianism.  This  has  led,  in  some  few  instances,  t0  tlie 
most  terfible  excesses;  such  as  murder,  iu«oj»t,  »ml  awn 


fu)  extrava^ 

ligion  amon 

who  are  fn 

Methodism, 

of  vital  piet 

vilest  and  n 

by  the  by, 

guardians  o 

neither  Me 

stand  at  th 

swing  upon 

are  sent  to  i 

There  is 

I)art  of  the 

cing  the  dc 

dices    of  c 

There  are 

of  Englan< 

believe  ths 

decline  for 

pie,  in  gen 

perhaps,  tl 

or  Ireland. 

Scotch,  Ir 

Indian  Mi 

vivals  of 

been  done 

1y,   labori 


*  The  ab 
no  bigot  ■,  b 

faith,  ^u 
to  the  divin 
iiiey  are  iu« 
good  mQD| 
llitM».  '■n.- 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


115 


fu»  extravagance;  it  liaa  disparaged  true  evangelical  re- 
ligion among  sober  churchmen,  and  rational  moralists, 
who  are  frequently  upon  the  watch  for  objections  to 
Methodism,  and  who  hence  frequently  lay  at  the  door 
of  vital  piety,  all  the  extravagancies  committed  by  the 
vilest  and  most  abandoned  ent  husiasts.  I  would,  though 
by  the  by,  observe  to  these  close  inspectors  and  kind 
guardians  of  the  purity  of  Methodism,  "  That  they  are 
neither  Methodists  nor  Dissenters  who  fill  our  prisons, 
stand  at  the  bar  for  trial  at  quarter  sessions  or  usaizes, 
swing  upon  our  gnllowses,  dwell  ou  board  the  hulks,  or 
are  sent  to  people  New  Holland  among  culprits." 

There  is  a  strong  tincture  of  bigotry  among  the  Scotch 
iwrt  of  the  population.    Whether  this  arises  from  embra- 
cing the  doctrine  of  particular  redemption,  or  the  preju. 
dices    of  country,  I  will  not  take  on  me  to  determine. 
There  are  in  both  provinces  many  members  of  the  church 
of  England,  and  some  churches  ;  but  there  is  reason  to 
believe  that  the  Episcopalian  interest  has  been  apon  the 
decline  for  several  years  in  both  provinces.*     The  peo- 
ple, in  general,  are  pretty  well  informed-much  more  so, 
perhaps,  than  people  of  siiiiUar  classes,  either  m  England 
or  Ireland.     They  consist  chiefly  of  natives,  EngUsh, 
Scotch,  Irish,  Dutch,  Germans,  French,  Americans,  and 
Indian  Micmacks.     There  have  been  some  blessed  re- 
vivals  of  religion  in  this  country,  and  much  good  has 
been  done ;  but  there  is  still  a  great  need  of  active,  live- 
ly,  laborious   preachers.     The   Methodists    never  had 


•  The  above  remarks  do  not  spring  from  bigotry.  The  author  is 
no  bigot-,  he  knows  it  is  not  Methodism,  Calvinism,  Presbyterian. 
i.m,  n^piscopalianism,  that  maizes  a  man  a  true  chnstmn  J  but 
fa^,  afneration,  love  to  God  and  man,  and  universal  obedienee 
to  theZne  eommands.    To  all  such  I  can  say,  by  -Jatever  Pal« 

...  ,«..♦.. 1 *K^» j-hig  u  m»  friend.   1  »ve  an 

tiiey  arc  iiioioseu,  mis  S3  iity  yi  •-••"•'      —     --     -        „„  _-^  „hris- 
good  men,  and  earnestly  pray  for  more  union  among  ^  cbns 

liiits. 


i 


%. 


* 


lie 


t 

It 

■  ) 

MEMOIRS  OF 


more  than  from  ten  to  twelve  miBsionaries  in  the  two 
provtnces ;  and  what  are  these  to  nearly  eighty  thougand 
people,  scattered  over  a  country  four  or  five  hundred 
miles  long,  and  from  eighty  to  one  hundred  miles  wide. 
It  is  true,  there  are  nearly  twenty  Episcopal  clergymen, 
and  perhaps  half  as  many  Presbyterians;  but  as  neither 
Wm  of  these  itinerate,  thousands  of  people,  immured  in  the 
ft  ^oods,  or  scattered  up  and  down  the  sea-coast,  have  no 
opportunity  of  benefiting  by  their  labours.  If  these  are 
fed  with  the  bread  of  life,  it  must  be  carried  to  their  ha- 
bitations. A  preacher  must  either  tide  or  walk  into 
their  settlements.  He  must  be  content  to  look  dangers 
and  difficulties  in  the  face.  He  must  not  be  too  fastid. 
ious  to  make  a  log  cottage  in  the  wilderness  his  best  inn ; 
nor  should  he  let  a  snow-storm  or  a  bad  bridge  deter  him 
from  his  appointment. 

The  difficulties  and  dangers  of  travelling  in  this  coun- 
iff^0b-  tj  simply  pointed  out  in  the  following  little 
poem,  written  on  my  leaving  Nova  Scotia,  that  I  cannot 
resist  the  desire  I  feel  to  insert  it  in  this  place.        ^ 

Thou  climate  of  cold,  where  the  icy  winds  blow, 
Wh'^re  the  maple  fire  burns  and  the  lofty  pines  grow ; 
E'er  I  unit  thy  cold  shores  for  a  happier  clime, 
rUchan'  'ny  farewell  in  a  fragment  of  rhyme. 


"e  ( tfi  c'H'd  thy  desolate  woods ! 
bj :    i  lakes,  ard  thy  icy-pa v'd  floods! 


Seven  y»''*'<; 

And  cros  .  (.^  i 

With  temi  «r.i . »;:  *  tinow-driff  •  .ipedin;^  ray  course, 

And  icicles  Imngpiug^  to  me  and  my  horse. 


But  shall  I  forget  in  thy  winters  severe, 

When  crossinpc  bleak  marshes  and  barrens  most  drear  i 

Full  many  a  blessing  has  warmed  my  heart, 

Tho'  the  cold  chill'd  my  blood,  and  my  fingers  wbtMsmart. 


kth  a  rapture  of  joy  I  would  gratefully  bless 


[itaMs 


..I 


my  lodging  was  cold,  and  the  stars  I  could  «ee  - 

*  the  chinks  of  my  log.room,  bright  twinkling  on.iBe>. 


il 


m 


/ 


two 
lanil 
[Ired 
iile. 
nen, 
ther 
the 
s  no 
;  are 
•  ha- 
into 
gers 
slid, 
inn; 
him 

oun- 
itde 
anot 


aart. 


B«> 


JOfllltJA  MARSDEN. 


Ilf 


How  oft  haro  1  V;«p'd  by  the  skin  of  my  teeth ! 

When  the  ice  ^Vlvv  worn  thin  by  the  ourrent  beneath ; 

And  'vVt^n  by  the  showers  the  torrents  were  rais'd,  ^ 

I  ticiuuled  till  post,  but  dcliviTd,  I  prais'd! 

J 

Hence  learn,  O  ray  soul!  to  put  trust  in  thy  I^rd ! 
His  care  and  past  danfjrers'Hie  kept  on  record  : 
The  sea  and  the  desert  with  safety  are  croB«'(4  J 
Be  faithful,  thou  sfaalt  not  in  Jordan  be  lost. 

Tho'  thy  Sprin?  is  unpleasant,  thy  Winter  severe ; 

And  freezing  and  sea-fop  encircle  the  year : 

Vet  thy  wilds  have  their  game,  and  thy  forcstf  their  stores*. 

And  kind  are  the  natives  that  people  thy  shore*. 

The  moose  in  thy  woods,  and  the  bears  in  thy  brakes,. 
The  trout  in  thy  streams,  and  the  fowls  on  thy  lakes; 
Thy  salmon,  thy  maple,  and  fine  pomme-de-terre,» 
A  bountiful  Providence  jointly  declare. 

Nor  do  I  forget  that  fair  piety  grows,  ''^M0 

Like  an  ever-green  plant  'mid  thy  bleaching  snows : 
Who  rules  the  green  earth  from  the  Oby  to  Nile, 
lias  illumin'd  thy  wastes  with  bis  lucific  smile. 

1  hy  forests  and  snow-drifts,  thy  marshes  and  bog^ 
Thy  birch-cover'd  wigwams  and  sun-veiling  fogsj. 
Thy  cold  rocky  soil,  and  thy  winters  severe. 
His  presence  can  sweeten,  his  blessing  can  cheer. 

For  'tis  not  in  seasons  or  cHm€»'  to  impart 
The  bliss  that  enlivens  und  gladdens  the  heart  j 
Spitsbergen's  cold  •♦hores,  or  Borneo's  hot  isle, 
Can  please,  if  illumin'd  with  J  esus's  smile. 

That  smile  is  a  spring  of  delight  to  the  sohI, 
Ttio'  tempests  arise  and  the  tierce  billows  roll : 
It  gladdens  the  desert,  it  charms  the  wild  wavflg 
Gives  ease  in  affliction,  and  hope  in  the  grave. 

Y^hi^-coned  pines,  and  ye  balsamic  firs !  . 

Te  maples  so  sweet,  and  yfl  quiv'ring  poplars; 


•r 


T 


*  Petatoe*. 


W 


I  r 


118 


MEMOIRS  OF 


* 


'Neath  youf  shades*  I  have  stood,  Mrhile  ye  heard  mcprocraim 
Salvation  uubouadcd  thro'  Jesus's  name! 

But  ne'er  shall  I  wander  thy  woodlands  a^in, 
Where  silence  and  gloom,  brother  foresters,  reign : 
Nor  travel  thy  dreary  Peninsula  o'er, 
From  the  Canada  gulf  to  i£e  Atlantic  shore. 

Farewell  to  thy  plains,  and  adieu  to  thy  hills! 
^      Thy  deep  rapid  rivers,  and  wood-cutting  mills, 
Thy  terrible  snow-drifts,  thy  bleak  torpid  coast : 
Adieu  to  the  region  of  sea-fog  and  frost ! 

In  the  wilder,  if  the  snow  is  two  deep  to  ride,  he  must 
take  his  saddle-bags  upon  his  shoulder  and  walk,  or  put 
on  a  pair  of  snow-shoes,  and  trudge  forward  on  its  sur- 
face. If  his  lodgings  are  sometimes  cold,  lie  will,  at 
least,  find  the  hearts  of  the  people  warm.  If  he  want 
retirement,  he  is  surrounded  with  silent,  lofty  woods, 
nature's  most  beautiful  temple.  His  food  may  sometimes 
be  coarse,  but  his  appetite  will  be  keen ;  his  rides  may 
be  laborious,  but  the  exercise  will  promote  his  health. 
This  country  is  particularly  suited  to  Methodist  preach- 
ers, having  little  of  the  fine,  delicate  gentleman  about 
them,  they  harmonize  more  with  the  simplicity  and 
plainness  of  the  people. 

The  Baptisls.or  as  they  are  more  properly  called,  the 
New  LightSi  have  some  few  worthy  preachers  among 
them  ;  but  as  they  have  little  or  no  discipline,  and  differ 
as  much  in  their  private  sentiments,  as  other  denomina- 
tions differ  one  from  another,  they  cannot  be  supposed 
extensively  useful.  The  Scotch  Presbyterians  chiefly 
inhabit  Pictou,  Cobbequit,  Truro,  and  several  other  parts 
In  the  vicinity  )f  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  They  have 
also  congregations  at  Cornwallis,  Halifax,  &c.  The 
Roman  Catholics  are  generally  deplorably  ignoWnt  and 
blindfolded — some  of  these  still  believe  that  their  priests 


*  The  author  frequently  preached  in  the  woods. 


can  perforr 

priest-riddt 

wearing  a 

beads,  and 

However, 

clergy,  ths 

a  false  reli 

vert  the  re 

copal  mini 

for  this  pu 

serable  fui 

and  live  s 

doubt  brii 

of  the  tru 

"(sould  giv 

than  thre 

country. 

that  have 

lence  and 

An  ann 

Robert  B 

savages ; 

or  some  oi 

A   scIk 

sex  Vale, 

Bible  that 

Welo\ 

wealth  ac 

their  furs 

gouls,  the 

willing  tc 

While 

attending 

for  desert 

them  all 

tiHVc  reai 

blood  of 


.TOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


m 


can  perforni  miracles.     The  Indians  are  mostly  of  this 
priest-ridden  persuasion ;  that  is,  they  are  taught,  that 
wearing  a  large  brass  or   silver  crucifix,  counting  their 
beads,  and  confessing  to  the  priest,  will  save  their  souls. 
However,  it  must  be  said,  to  the  honour  of  the  Romish 
clergy,  that  their  zeal  to  convert  these  poor  outcasts  to 
a  false  religion,  exceeds  that  of  other  ministers  to  con- 
vert the  mto  the  true.     It  is  a  great  pity,  that  the  Epis- 
copal ministers,  some  of  whom  receive  an  annual  stipend 
for  this  purpose,  do  not  take  some  pains  with  these  mi- 
serable fugitives.     A  faithful  missionary  who  would  go 
and  live  among  them,  as  Elliot  and  Brainerd,  might  no 
doubt  bring  a  goodly  number  of  them  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth.     And  if  they  were  civilized,  government 
would  give  them  land  to  cultivate ;  as  there  are  more 
than  three  millions  of  acres  of  ungranted  land  in   the 
country.     But,  alas  I  few  are  willing  to  pursue  schemes 
that  have  nothing  to  recommend  them  but  pure  benevo^ 
lence  and  sacred  philanthropy. 

An  annual  sum  to  a  large  amount  was  left  by  the  Hon. 
Robert  Boyle,  for  the  purpose  of  christianizing  these 
savages  ;  but  whether  the  benefaction  is  ap[)lied  to  this 
or  some  other  purpose,  I  have  not  heen  able  to  learn. 

A  school  or  college  was  set  on  foot  for  them  at  Sus- 
sex Vale,  on  the  Kennebacases  river;  but  I  am  not  sen- 
sible that  any  particular  good  has  been  don«^  by  it. 

We  love  the  Indians,  so  far  as  they  contribute  to  our 
wealth  and  interest;  we  give  them  brandy  and  rum  for 
their  furs  and  their  works  of  ingenuity ;  but  when  their 
souls,  their  immortal  interests,  are  concerned,  we  are 
willing  to  be  excused. 

While  stationed  at  Halifax,  I  had  an  opportunity  of 
attentling  some  condemned  malefactors,  who  were  shot 
for  desertion.  I  visited  them  frequently,  and  staid  with 
them  all  the  nlcht  previous  to  their  execution ;  and  I 
iiHve  reason  lo  ueiieve  iney  usi  luunu  paruwis  ixstvsjg^is  m-c 
Wood  of  the  Lamb.     The  fear  of  death  was  removed 


•*'%. 


120 


MEMOIRS  OF 


from  ihdr  minds,  and  they  walked  to  the  scaffold  in  a 
kind  of  holy  triumph.  Durir.  5  my  stay  in  Halifax,  se- 
veral were  awakened  and  found  peace.  The  society 
prospered,  the  congregations  were  lai^e,  and  I  was  often 
favoured  with  uncommon  liberty. 

I  cannot  omit  a  facetious  little  incident  that  took  place 
while  in  this  town.  One  evening  I  was  preaching  on  the 
spread  of  the  gospel,  the  increase  of  religion  in  the  world, 
and  particularly  the  increase  of  the  Methodists.  An 
honest  Tur,  sanding  near  the  door,  called  out,  "That 
is  no  wonder,  for  ill  weeds  grow  fast." 

I  have  to  regret,  that  while  in  Halifax  I  was  too  much 
led  into  company,  which  left  me  little  time  for  reading, 
etudy,  or  secret  prayer;  hence  I  sometimes  ventured  into 
the  pulpit  hardly  knowing  what  text  to  take.  In  this  i 
was  greatly  to  blame;  I  ought  to  have  given  myself  to 
reading,  to  exhortation,  and  to  doctrine,  that  my  profit- 
ing might  appear  to  all.  The  apostles  gave  themselves  to 
prayer  and  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Alas,  what  ac- 
count will  those  ministers  give,  who  saunter  about,  while 
away  their  time,  or  spend  it  in  the  suburbs  of  Terra  del 
Fuego,  puffing  away  at  the  pipe.  If  all  the  time  were 
improved  that  is  spent  by  some  at  this  "  negatively  sin- 
ful practice,"  they  might  be  able  preachers,  able  scholars, 
and  extensively  useful  men.  Close  reading,  hard  study, 
and  fervent  prayer,  are  the  soul  of  good  preaching.  If 
Cicero  and  Demosthenes  spent  weeks  and  months  in 
composing  those  orations  that  have  been  the  wonder  of 
after  ages;  if  Timothy  was  exhorted  to  study  to  approve 
himself  a  workman  that  needed  not  to  be  ashamed, 
rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth,  what  arc  we  to  think  of 
those  public  teachers,  who  spring  from  the  tea-table,  the 
chatting  party,  or  the  tobacco-pipe,  into  the  pulpit,  with- 
out previous  preparation,  and  solemn  prayer  ?  Alas,  they 
are  frequently  obliged  to  preach  from  old  texts ;  their 
subjects  are  trile;  they  have  got  them  by  rote;  they  ex- 
cite no  8ei>«AtioQ8  in  their  owd  minds ;  and  hence  it  ia 


impossible 
is  generally 
the  same  gi 
pasture  in  i 
will  yawn  ) 
it,  will  thin 
advise  ever 
he  preachei 
from  innuch 
teKls  in  hia 
the  rock  or 
that  of  pre 
from  the  s: 
of  this  kini 
Some  degri 
shall  seldo 
preacher  g( 
Dan  to  B 
hearers  at 
occasion,  ' 
word,  I  w( 
advice  of  t 
ter  to  a  M 
write  mucl 
Til ;  on  a  > 
from  in  th( 
day  before 
My  Stat 
where  we  h 
During  my 
At  Granvi 
peace.  T 
crowded. 
lony  of  the 
had  the  po 
tal  mannei 
cuit,  from 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


121 


impossible  they  should  in  their  hearers.     An  old  subject 
is  generally  flat ;  a  preacher  rarely  succeeds  well  in  going 
the  same  ground  over  again;  the  beaten  track  has  little 
pasture  in  it;  those  who  have  heard  the  sermon  bel'ore, 
will  yawn  and  go  to  sleep,  and  those  who  have  not  heard 
it,  will  think  the  preacher  a  mighty  dull  one.     I  would 
advise  every  preacher  to  keep  an  exact  list  of  the  texts 
he  preaches  from,  the  date,  and  place  ;  this  will  save  him 
from  ?nuch  confusion,  and  fix,  in  some  degree,  so  many 
texts  in  his  memory.     It  will  also  enable  him  to  avoid 
the  fock  on  which  i  have  known  some  good  men  to  slip, 
that  of  preaching  five  or  six  times  in  the  same  place 
from  the  same  text,  verbatim  et  literatim.     A  discourse 
of  this  kind  is  like  a  threadbare  coat,  or  thrice-told  tale. 
Some  degree  of  novelty  is  essential  to  pleusing,  and  we 
shall  seldom   profit   whom   we  do  not  please:  but  if  a 
preacher  goes  round  preaching  the  same  discourse  from 
Dan  to  Beersheba,  he  may  meet  some  of  his  former 
hearers  at  every  nook,  and  feel  as  one  of  old  on  another 
occasion,  "  hast  thou  found  me,  O  mine  enemy  ?"  In  a 
word,  1  would  recommend  to  all  ray  junior  brethren  the 
advice  of  Doct.  Adam  Clarke,  in  his  most  excellent  Let- 
ter to  a  Methodist  Preacher — "pray  much,  read  much, 
write  much,  and  have  always  some  subject  upon  the  an- 
vil ;  on  a  week-day  select  the  texts  you  intend  to  preach 
from  in  the  morning,  and  then  you  will  have  the  whole 
day  before  you.*' 

My  station  wag  now  for  a  little  while  at  AnnapotlS) 
where  we  have  a  lively  little  society  in  a  pleasant  country* 
During  my  short  stay  here,  we  had  most  refreshing  times. 
At  Granville  chapel  several  were  awakened  and  found 
peace.  The  society  was  revived,  and  the  meetings  were 
crowded.  Sometimes  at  the  Waldeck  settlement  (a  co» 
lony  of  the  Dutch  and  Germans  on  Annapolis  bason)  we 
had  the  power  of  God  present  in  a  most  glorious  and  vi* 
tal  manner;  and  religion  prospered  throughout  the  cir* 
cuit,  from  Wilmot  mountain  to  Digby.    in  the  fall  f^' 


t^ 


MEMOIRS  OF 


the  year,  being  appointed  for  the  city  of  St.  John,  after 
many  tears  and  afifcctionate  farewells,  I  left  my  dear 
Annapolis  friends,  and  sailed  across  the  Bay  of  Fundy 
for  St.  John,  where,  during  the  winter,  I  laboured  in  the 
city  and  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  with  various  success. 
Methodism  was  first  planted  in  St.  John  by  that  holy 
and  useful  man  of  God,  and  missionary,  Mr.  Abraham 
John  Bishop,  from  the  island  of  Jersey  :  he  was,  under 
God,  the  chief  instrument  of  the  first  revival,  both  in 
the  city  and  up  the  river;  and  his  name  will  ever  be 
as  music  in  the  cars  of  many,  who  date  their  first  reli- 
gious impressions  from  his  minislerial  labours.     He  was 
4ruly  a  man  of  God,  and  feared  neither  the  rich  nor  pow- 
erful, but  would  lovingly  invite,  and  mildly  reprove,  all 
ftvho  came  in  his   way.     Though  a  man  of  fortune,  be 
was  humble  as  a  child,  and  self-denying  as  a  hermit. 
His  rank  in  society  gave  respect  to  his  zeal ;  and  his 
loving  spirit  made  his  reproofs  an  excellent  oil.     But  he 
isiiomore — he  was  early  snatched   from  the  toils  of 
warfare  to  the  triumphs  of  glory.     The  conference  want- 
ing a  missionary  who  could  preach  in  French,  to  visit 
the  island  of  Grenada,  he  was  sent  upon  a  mission  to  that 
islaml ;  and  in  those  blooming  regions  of  perennial  death, 
Jie  paid  the  debt  of  mortality,  and  was  transmitted  to  glo- 
ry by  a  mortal  fever,  in  the  prime  of  his  years,  and  in 
the  midst  of  his  usefulness.    Holy  shade,  farewell !  Thy 
sainted  spirit  is  at  rest !  Thou  feclest  no  more  the  bit- 
ter blasts  of  Nova  Scotia,  nor  the  scorching  fervours  of 
the  torrid  zone!  Gentle  pastor,  may  my  spirit  be  with 
thine,  in  the  realms  of  re[K)se,  and  the  mansions  of  bliss ! 
On  my  arrival  at  St.  John,  the  fogs  were  so  severe, 
that  I  did  not  know  but   1  should  have    to  leave  the 
place.     However,  my  lungs  became  familiar  with  them;, 
and  I  continued  at  my  appointment. 

For  Jesu's  love  can  every  place  beif^ilte, 

Makp  the  vwik»  biooiii,  and  yi'tjtti'y  aeserts  sisns: 


Nor  U 
Ifhel 
Whatt 

This  yet 
Were  refres 
Our  little  < 
quickened, 
and  preach 
Nash  Wall 
veral  were 
ing  seasoni 
been  a  co 
ther  Benn 
awakened ; 
Lamb,  an(] 

I  would 
as  the  riv< 
winter,  is 
that  calls  f 
traversing 
deep — enc( 
most  torpii 
quently  in 
tious,  are 
river  St.  J 

In  Marc 
bouring,  w 
1803,  whe 
more  the  s 
conference 
for  Liverp 
among  this 
resolved,  t 
to  my  Mai 
•ing,  and  i 
ft^siet  my  i 


JOSHUA  MABSDEN. 


m^ 


Kor  Fandy's  fogs,  nor  Scotia's  snows  I  dread, 
Nor  tropic's  suns  fierce  blazing  o'er  my  head: 
If  he  be  present,  Eden's  in  my  soul. 
Whatever  skies  preside,  or  seasons  roll. 

This  year,  my  labours,  if  not  rtimarkably  Buccessful, 
Were  refreshing  to  mygell",  and  profitable  to  the  people. 
Our  little  chapel  \vas  often  cilovvded,  and  my  soul  was 
quickened.  1  went,  in  the  winter,  up  the  river  St.  John, 
and  preached  with  much  profit  at  Sheffield,  Grand  Lake, 
Nash  Walk,  Frederickton,  and  many  other  places.  Se- 
veral were  added  to  the  society.  We  had  many  refresh- 
ing seasons,  especially  at  Sheffield,  where  there  had 
been  a  considerable  revival  under  the  mitiistry  of  bro- 
ther Bennet.  Several  young  persons  had  been  truly 
awakened ;  others  found  redemption  in  thetblood  of  the 
Lamb,  and  the  society  was  much  quickened. 

I  would  here  observe,  thut  travelling  sufch  a  country 
as  the  river  St.  John,  in  the  depth  of  a  Noya  Scotia 
I  winter,  is  one  of  those  hardships  of  a  missionary  life^ 
that  calls  for  no  ordinary  faith,  patience,  and  fortitude; 
traversing  an  immense  river,  frozen,  perhaps,  two  feet 
deep — encountering  dismal  snow-storms,  rendered  al- 
most torpid  by  a  bleak  north-west  wind — sleeping  fre- 
quently in  log-houses,  with  but  indifferent  accommoda- 
tions, are  trials,  for  which  a  preacher  stationed  on  the 
river  St.  John,  must  prepare  himself. 

In  March  I  returned  to  the  city,  where  I  continued  la- 
bouring, with  various  success,  till  the  month  of  May, 
1803,  when  I  crossed  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  to  visit  once 
more  the  shores  of  Nova  Scotia.  This  year,  our  little 
conference  was  at  Windsor,  at  which  1  was  appointed 
for  Liverpool  circuit.  I  soon  found  myself  at  home 
among  this  friendly,  civil,  and  respectable  people;  and 
resolved,  through  divine  grace,  to  devote  myself  anew 
to  my  Master^s  service.  I  resumed  ray  four  o'clock  ri- 
sing, and  as  I  thought  it  would  further  my  studies,  and 
ftMist  my  aoul  in  her  warfare  with  corrupt  nature,  I  ab- 


I 


i24 


JUEMOms  OP' 


*% 


stained  altogether  from  animal  fooil,  a  practice  which  I 
•ouki  not  continue  long,  because  it  brought  on  a  painlul 
diarrhoea.  Yet,  in  a  spiritual  sense,  the  benefits  of  it 
Wire  apparent.  In  going  this  circuit,  1  had  occasional- 
ly to  preach  at  Port  Mutton,  Port  Jolly,  Port  le  Bare> 
and  several  other  small  places,  on  the  eastern  shores  of 
Ihe  Atlantic.  But  the  faJHssiHg  ol'  God  is  not  confined. 
I  have  had  belter  seasons  in  a  fisherman's  hut,  than  per- 
iiaps  some  splendid  ministers  in  a  spacious  temple,. 
J4ow  true  is  that  word,  Qod  is  no  respecUr  of  persons* 

But  rich  or  poor  the  Saviour's  love  may  know, 
So  widelh?  streams  of  blood-bought  mercy  flowv 
The  polilh'd  courtier,  or  the  plodding  cit  j 
The  dull  mechanic,  or  the  brilliant  wit  j 
The  fiAMt  dame;  the  simplest  hearted  page  J 
The  meanest  rustic,  or  the  deepest  sage : 
Whether  in  city  born,  or  village  bred ; 
Whe^er  in  robes  of  silk  or  wool  array'd  j 
Uo  Matter :  each  the  blessing  "may  possess:, 
For  all  are  equal  in  the  realms  of  grace. 
The  Lamb  expir'd,  and  bled  for  every  soul, 
From  the  world's  girdle  to  each  starry  pole. 
On  every  side,  the  New  Jerusalem, 
Bright  gates  of  bliss,  with  pearly  beauty  flames 
Redeeming  love  is  full,  is  free  for  all, 
Who  feel  their  need,  and  fly  at  mercy's  call. 

• 

frequently,  in  pastoral  visiting,  and  visiting  the  sick, 
the  poorer  and  more  indigent  the  persons,  the  sweeter 
and  more  refreshing  has  been  the  visit.  It  is  in  the 
abodes  of  poverty  that  we  meet  smiling  content,  and  pa- 
tient resignation,  low  circumstances,  with  exalted  hopes ; 
misery  on  a  couch  "justifying  the  ways  of  God  with 
men  ;"  true  gratitude  for  barley-bread  and  simple  water ; 
simple-hearted  prayer,  supplicating  for  more  grace  and 
thankfulness;  noble  generosity,  the  starving  wife  giving 
the  last  morsel  to  her  children ;  the  affectionate  hus- 

I....,..!      <1..<>»l»      .KatannoAfl      huf      AnmCnrtinfir    Ilia    19{i*>IIIIH 

Weising  his  family, 


The» 
Alakc 
With 
Than 
And  1 
The  I 
Thou 
And 
Thcr 
Who 
Suffei 
'  Who 
And 
From 
Lustr 
Ofgli 

During 
up  ;  many 
church.  (  i 
all  are  od 
mistake, 
as  much  si 
impcrcepti 
clapping  o 
heels;  no 
growth  of 
there  is  lit 
ping  aroun 
down  upor 
God  fill  the 
desires  to  i 
to  the  FatI 
the  sacre<j 
finger  of  < 
divine  tru 
and  stamj 
humility,  I 
venly-min 
genuioe  a 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


125 


These  are  thy  own,  «we^  poverty  j  and  these 

Make  thy  mean  fare  and  little  cottage  please  : 

With  such  a  train,  thy  lot  is  nobler  far 

Than  his,  who  wears  a  coronet  and  a  star. 

And  though  the  high-born  rich  may  tread  thee  down.} 

The  gay  despise  thee,  an^Miwoud  disown: 

Though  airy  vanity's  fdHH  train, 

And  pomp  and  beauty%ii!raiee  with  disdain^ 

There  is  a  friend,  above  yon  starry  skies. 

Who  counts  thy  tears,  who  listens  to  thy  sighs,. 

Suffer  a  while,  if  so  His  will  ordain. 

Who  grafts  His  blessings  on  the  stock  of  pain  ; 

And  when  thy  woes  are  buried  in  the  tomb. 

From  every  tear  a  lovely  joy  shall  bloom; 

Lustres,  in  thy  immortal  coronet,  "Wix-  " 

Of  glittering  gems  by  sweet  affliction  set.  ^  '  • 

During  my  sttiy  in  Liverpool,  the  society  was  built 
up  ;  many  were  quickened,  and  a  few  were  added  to  the 
church.  I  Some  are  apt  to  think  no  good  is  done  unless 
all  are  on  fire  with  a  wonderful  revival,  but  this  is  a 
mistake.  The  work  of  divine  grace  may  progress  with 
as  much  silence  as  the  dew  falls  upon  the  ground,  and  as 
imperceptibly  as  the  grass  grows  in  the  spring.  It  is  not 
clapping  of  hands — not  shouting—- not  stamping  with  the 
heels;  nor  any  other  bcdiiy  exercise,  that  indicates  a 
growth  of  grace.  There  may  be  much  smoke,  where 
there  is  little  fire.  There  was  more  shouting  and  clap- 
ping around  Aaron's  calf,  than  when  God  himself  came 
down  upon  Mount  Sinai.  The  power  and  presence  of 
God  fill  the  soul  with  a  solemn  and  majestic  awe.  'T^he  soul 
desires  to  be  alone,  that  it  may  pour  out  its  supplications 
to  the  Father  of  spirits.  God  forbid,  that  1  should  touch 
the  sacred  ark  of  pure,  enlivened  piety,  with  the  least 
finger  of  opposition ;  but,  as  an  humble  inquirer  after 
divine  truth,  I  would  ask,  does  clapping  with  the  hands, 
and  stamping  with  the  feet,  increase  in  the  soul,  love, 
humility,  faith,  gratitude,  meekness,  chastity,  and  hea- 
Tenly-mindedness  ?  Is  clapping  the  hands  as  true  and 
genuine  an  expression  of  gratitude,  as  a  tender  and 

L2 


t20 


MEMOIRS  OW 


lively  sensibility  or  heart?    Have  wc  any  canois  iiitlie 
New  Testament  by  which  clapping  is  required.    Are 
they   the  old,  steady,  experienced  followers  of  Christ 
who  clap  hands  ?     Are  those  who  clap  loudest  the  most 
lioly,  meek,  humble,  ^ytgciit,  and  devoted  members  of 
our  society  ?     May  '^^«HH|^      ^^^  '"^^^  lively  pie- 
ty exist,  where  there  is  noHlsfKiiition  to  clap  ?     Is  not 
clapping  sometimes  used,  and  sc^aming  too,  when  there* 
is   no   extraordinary   influence  present  ?     I  should  be 
deeply  sorry,  that  any  one  should  suppose  the  Method- 
ists confine  religion  to  these  things,  or  even  think  them 
at  all  nece§9$fy  io  the   existence  of  devotion.     No ! 
They  be|jpe  religion  is  the  kingdom  of  God  within  us  ; 
l"  Righteot|l|pB,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost."  The 
/  spirit  of  prayer — the  spirit  of  faith — the  spirit  of  love — 
/  the  spirit  of  4ioiiness,  form  the  grand  materials  of  a  Meth- 
odist's religion.     It  is  not,  lo!    here  is  Christ,  or  lo  I 
there  is  Christ!     But  Christ  in   you  the  hope  of  glo- 
ry;   the  King  of  righteousness,  and   the   fountain   of 
universal  piety.     I  have  been  present  at  revivals  of  re- 
ligion ;.  I  have  beheld  the  stately  steppings  of  Jehovah 
in   his  sanctuary ;  I  have  known  his  influence   descend 
as  the  former  and  the   latter  rain ;  I   have  heard  the 
cries  of  the  mourner  blended  with  the  rejoicing   of  the 
redeemed  ;  but  on  these  occasions  I  recollect  neithec 
clapping  nor  stamping — and  yet  there   are  some,  who 
think  that  religion  is  at  a  stand  if  these  things  are  dis- 
continued.    But,  can  we  see  into  the  believer's  heart? 
Can   we  discover  his  inward  exercises?     Can  we  tell 
how  often  he  may  be  watered,  animated,  and   comfort- 
ed ?    We  should  not  conclude,  there  is  no  good  done  un- 
less there  be  a  great  noise.     We  know,  that  the  deepest 
rivers  glide  silently  along.     It  is  only  the  shallow  that 
make  the  most  bubble  and  bruit.     Is  it  not  doing  good  to 
instruct  christians  in  the  duties  of  religion  ?     la  it  not 
doing  good  to  build  up  those  who  are  already  built  upon 
Christ?  Is  it  not  doing  good  to  confirm  the  wavering; 
water  the  thirsty  j  revive  the  weary,  coraf«rt  tbemowr^" 


cr ;  and  illus 
doctrines  of 
indeed,  a  bl 
souls  alarmei 
moitdl  inter< 
speakable,  ar 
holy  vioIen( 
in  God's  ban 
ble  reasons, 
droppings  of 
of  things? 
the  want  of  i 
unless  we  ai 
may  enjoy 
though  God 
of  the  great 
of  righteous! 
open  fountai 
side.  If  th 
space  of  thr 
Israel.  ''  H 
roots  as  Let 
beauty  shall 
npn." 

In  the  spi 
supply  his  p 
more  confer 
(she  had  be< 
the  10th  of 
bro  light-ho 
and  blew  us 
•—we  had  n( 
visions  on  i: 
ry  the  vessc 
captain  was 
out  at  sea, 
dies.    |q  t] 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


1^7 


cr;  and  illustrate  and  enrorce  the  great  and  comforting 
doctrines  of  religion,  morality,  and  Providence  ?     It  is, 
indeed,  a  blessed  and  delightful  sight,  to  see    careless 
souls  alarmed  to  a  just  and  lively  concern  for  their  im- 
moi'tdl  interest ;  humble  penitents  ^joicing  \\ithJoy  un- 
speakable, and  zealous  believerKiking  the  kingdom  with 
holy  violence.     But,  because  the  residue  of  the  spirit  is 
in  God's  hands,  and  he  does  not,  for  wise  and  inexplica- 
ble reasons,  always  pour  it  out,  are  we  to  despise  the 
droppings  of  the  sanctuary,  or  neglect  the  common  order 
of  things  ?     We  may  have  one  consolation  left  amidst 
the  want  of  extraordinary  revivals.     We  may,  ourselves, 
unless  we  are  sadly  wanting  in  faith  and  fervency  ;  we 
may  enjoy  the   richest  consolations  of  his  Spirit.     Fof 
though  God  does  not,  at  aH  times,  break  up  the  fountains 
of  the  great  deep,  and  overflow  the  world  with  a  deluge 
of  righteousness;  yet  he  is  still,  to  his  faithful  people, an 
open  fountain,  a  well  of  salvation,  and  a  brook  by  the  way- 
side.    If  the  moral  world   is  deprived   of  rain  for  the 
space  of  three  years,  yet  he  will  still  be  as  the  dew  to 
Israel.     '<  He  shall  grow  as  the  lily,  and  cast  forth  his 
roots  as  Lebonon.     His  branches  shall  spread,  and  his 
beauty  shall  be  as  the  olive-tree,  and  his  smell  as  Leba- 
non." 

In  the  spring,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Black,  I  went  tat 
supply  his  place  in  Halifax,  while  he  attended  the  Balti- 
more conference.  I  sailed  for  Halifax  in  the  brig  Rover, 
(she  had  been  a  Liverpool  privateer)  and  the  same  day» 
the  10th  of  April,  when  we  were  within  sight  of  Sam- 
bro  light-house,  a  gale  of  wind  set  in  from  the  north-east, 
and  blew  us  out  to  sea.  Our  situation  was  most  critical 
— tve  had  not  a  single  candle  for  the  binacle,  and  no  pro- 
visions on  board  ;  our  men  were  landsmen,  hired  to  car- 
ry the  vessel  round  to  Halifax,  there  to  be  refitted.  The 
captain  was  under  much  concern,  lest  we  should  be  kept 
out  at  sea,  or  be  obliged  to  bear  away  for  the  West-la* 
dies.    Jq  thh  extremity  I  bad  recourse  to  my  bible ;  (I 


"!■    ! 


12d 


MEMOIRS  OF' 


am  no  advocate  for  bibliomancy*)  but  the  first  chapter  I 
turned  to  was  David's  description  of  a  storm,  in  the 
107th  psalm;  in  which  are  those  words,  '*  Then  they 
cry  unto  the  Lord  in  their  trouble,  and  he  bringeth  them 
out  of  their  distresses,  fle  toaketh  the  storm  a  calm,  so 
that  the  waves  thereoPare  still — then  they  are  glad, 
because  they  are  quiet ;  so  he  bringeth  them  into  the 
desired  haven."  On  this  passage  my  hopes  rested.  I 
reasoned  thus :— Is  not  God  the  same  as  heretofore  ? 
Has  he  not  all  power  in  earth  and  heaven  ?  Do  not  the 
prayers  of  his  people  still  come  up  before  his  throne  ?  Do 
not  the  winds  and  the  waves  obey  him  ?  I  felt  sallsfied 
God  would  deliver.  The  winds  lulled — a  calm  ensued — 
the  breeze  sprang  up  fair— and  though  then  off  Cape  le 
Have,  to  the  westward  of  Liverpool,  we  got  into  Halifax 
the  same  night.  O  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for 
his  goodness,  and  magnify  his  holy  name !  I  know,  that 
Deists  and  Infidels  will  call  this  superstition,  madness, 
folly,  to  suppose  that  the  great  God  would  arrest  the 
course  of  the  elements  at  the  request  of  a  poor  worm ! 
But  shall  we,  in  compliment  to  infidelo,  or  infidel  poets, 
deny  a  particular  Providence  ?  overlook  the  mercy  of 
God,  and  say,  Jehovah  is  an  idle  spectator  of  his  peo- 
ple's woes  ?  Perish  the  page  of  mine,  that  would  make 
an  unrighteous  composition  with  such  men,  merely  to 
avoid  the  old,  stale,  unmeaning  cry  of  enthusiasm,  or  su- 
perstition. II  we  might  give  up  religion  to  the  dilTerent 
enemies  of  Christianity,  the  mere  moralist  would  fritter 
away  the  new  birlh  into  I  know  not  what ;  of  water 
baptism,  and  regularity  of  life;  the  daring  Socinian 
would  rob  the  Redeemer  of  his  Godhead,  and  glory  in 
the  sacrilege;  the  rational   philosopher  would  deprive 


*  Bibiioraaucy  is  dipping  m  lis^  oioie,  ana  maKing  luc  siaii 
•«r  minds  depend  ui)on  any  accidental  text  that  comes  first  to  hand. 
Tor  the  abuses  to  which  this  practice  leads,  see  Doctor  Adam 
Clarke's  Letter  to  a  Preacher* 


religion  of  11 
risee  would 
crown  of  rigl 
religion  of  n 
divest  it  of  n 
^y  and  fire,  i 
verity ;  bifi^o 
plicity.  Thi 
left  by  the  t 
every  beautj 
blot. 

My  friend 

boured  amor: 

brother  Blac 

united  in  ma 

union  of  mu 

this  step  wer 

friendship. 

shall  tivo  wi 

desire  to  b< 

conviction  i 

ful,  and  hap[: 

a  pious  part 

of  God.     M 

five  years. 

Her  mother 

•ithe  Lord. 

lars  of  whlcl 

as,  though  i 

tedious  to  ol 

*    ried  life,  I  ai 

lent,  the  mc 

My    wife  ! 

with  me,  b; 

\ .  have  had  s< 

^  lions  to  bea 

children,  (il 

/  we  buried  a 


JOSHUA  MARSDEIS. 


i2& 


religion  of  its  spiritual  and  sublime  mysteries;  the  Pha* 
risee  would  tear  the  richest  jewels  of  grace  from  the 
cruwn  of  righteousness ;  and  the  Antinomian  would  rob 
religion  of  morality  and  holiness;  the  enthusiast  would 
divest  it  of  reason ;  the  frozen-hearted  formalist  of  vitali- 
ty and  fire,  and  the  latitudinarian  of  stri*  tn  ss  and  se- 
verity ;  bigots  would  strip  it  of  candour,  and  popes  of  sim- 
plicity. Thus  religion  would  fare  like  the  beautiful  statue 
left  by  the  sculptor  for  inspection  in  the  market-place, 
every  beauty  would  be  erased,  till  the  whole  were  one- 
blot. 

My  friends  in   Halifax  received  me  gladly,  and  I   I^ 
boured  among  them  till  the  latter  end  of  summer ;  when 
brother  Black,  returning  from  Baltimore,  1  was  by  him 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Seabury.  This  was  n 
union  of  much  prayer  and  deliberation.     My  reasons  for 
this  step  were  the  following  :  1st,  Mutual  attachment  and 
friendship.     2,  Union  of  religious   sentiment,     *'  How 
shall  two  walk  together  unless  they  are  agreed  ?"     3,  A 
desire  to  be  delivered  from  temptation,  and  an  inward 
conviction  in  my  mind,  that  I  could  be  more  holy,  use- 
ful,  and  happy  in  a  married  than  single  state.    4,  I  thought 
a  pious  partner  would  not  only  help  me,  but  the  church 
of  God.     My  wife,  though  young,  had  been  in  the  society 
five  years.     She  was  brought   up  in  the  fear  of  God. 
Her  mother  had  been  a  long  time  a  devoted  follower  of 
«the  Lord.     5,  A  coincidence  of  Providence,  the  particu- 
lars of  which  would  require  too  great  minuteness  of  detail, 
as,  though  interesting  to  myself,  they  might  be  flat  and 
tedious  to  others.     After  nine  years  experience  of  a  mar- 
^   ried  life,  I  am  still  firmly  of  opinion,  it  is  the  mo%|  excel- 
lent, the  most  eligible,  and  the  most  happy  condition. 
My    wife  has   bad    six  children;    she   has    travelled 
with  me,  by  sea  and  land,  several  thousand  miles.    We 
;have  had  serious  difficulties  to  encounter ;  many  affiic- 
tions  to  bear,  and  some  hardships.     We  have  lost  three 
children,  (if  sending  them  to  heaven  can  be  called  so ;) 
we  buried  a  sweet  child,  our  oldest  daughter}  in  the  city 


139 


MEMOIRS  Of 


Saint  John»  New-Brunswick;  we  laitl  a  litlle  boy  iu 
the  earth  at  Bermuda  ;  and  we  have  another  sleeping 
in  the  vault  of  the  Bowery-Church,  in  New-York.  But, 
with  all  the  difficulties,  affliction?,  and  trials  we  have 
bad  to  bear,  we  would  not  be  willing  lo  take  Alexander's 
sworxl,  nor  yet  any  other,  and  cut  the  gordian  knot  that 
has  bound  us  together.     Our  language  is, 

Together  let  us  sweetly  livci 
Together  let  us  die ; 
And  each  a  starry  crown  receive^ 
And  reign  above  the  sky. 

^We  staid  two  days  after  our  marriage  in  Halifax,  and 
then  embarketl  for  Saint  John,  where  we  anivejl  alter  a 
pleasant  passage  of  five  days.  I  now  received  the  fol- 
lowing letter  from  the  mission  committee  in  London,  to 
which,  as  it  casts  light  on  some  further  particulars  of  my 
missioQ,  1  shall  subjoin  my  answer^ 


CHAPTER  VI. 

iJirculah  letter  to  the  methodist   missionari 

New  Chapelt  City  Road,  Londan,  lOih  Feb.  1804^ 

DEAR   BROTHER,     . 

Since  the  departure  of  our  esteemed  friend  and  brother 
Dr.  Coke,  for  America,  we  have  been  much  concerned 
for  the  prosperity  of  the  Methodist  Missions.  Feeling 
their  great  importance,  as  they  respect  the  eternal  in- 
terests of  mankind,  and  the  general  increase  of  our  Re- 
deemer's kingdom,  we  have  been  very  desirous  of  pla- 
cing them  upon  some  regular  establishment,  so  that  un^  > 
der  the  divine  blessing,  we  might  r«tt»vMbiy  espect  « 
cQatinuance  of  their  suceefs. 


The  Do( 
generally, 
pecuni  iry  c 
sire  of  the 
meut  of  th( 
gaged  in  tl 
himself  qui 
lion  to  the 
field  havin 
hifn  totally 
ing  been  m 
and  were  c 
upon  him  ( 
ter  of  absol 
ling  Preacl 
principal  pr 
be  adopted 
Credit  of  tl 

It  was  d€ 
a  Commi(t< 
till  the  neK 
all  the  trav 
with  those  1 
ed  at  the  \a 
stated  in  pa^ 
&iends  w^ 
Iplttee  there 

Josi 
Josi 
Th(j 
Bfn 
Wii 
Jabi 
Geo 


It 


■v»^ 


JOSirtJA  MARSDEN. 


131 


The  Doctor  left  Mr.  Benson  in  charge  of  the  Mission* 
generally,  and  Mr.  Whitfield  was  iutrurtted  with  their 
pecuni  .ry  concerns  ;  but  Mr.  iienson  having,  by  the  de- 
sire of  the  Conlerence,  taken  upon  himself  the  nianage- 
meut  of  the  Magazine,  and  being  otherwise  greatly  ea- 
gage«l  in  the  atTairs  of  the  Connexion  at  large,  he  found 
himseir  quite  unable  to  devote  so  much  time  and  atten- 
tion to  the  mi&8i(ms  as  they  required.  And  Mr.  Whit- 
field having  had  a  dangerous  illness,  which  rendered 
him  totally  incapable  of  business,  and  no  provision  hav- 
ing been  made  to  pay  the  Bills  which  had  been  drawn, 
and  were  coming  due,  or  to  answer  the  various  demands 
upon  him  on  account  of  the  Missions,  it  became  a  mat- 
ter of  absolute  necessity  to  call  in  the  aid  of  the  Travel- 
ling Preachers  in  the  London  Circuit,  and  some  of  our 
principal  private  Friends,  to  consider  of  the  best  means  to 
be  adopted  to  su[)port  the  cause  of  the  Missious,  and  the 
Credit  of  the  Methodist  connexion. 

It  was  determined  in  the  present  distress,  to  appoint 
a  Committee  for  the  management  of  the  Mission  Affairs 
till  the  next  Conference ;  this  Committee  to  consist  of 
all  the  travelling  Preachers  in  London  Circuit,  together 
with  those  Friends  who  compose  the  Committee  appoinf- 
ed  at  the  Idst  Conference  for  guarding  our  privileges,  as 
stated  in  page  30  of  the  printed  Minutes,  and  also  a  few 
Eriends  whose  assistance  might  be  useful.  The  Com- 
Plttee  therefore  to  consist  of  the  following  Persons,  vizv 

Joseph  Benson,  George  Wolff, 

«       Jo&EPH  Taylor,  Christopher    Sundius^ 
Thomas  Rutherford,  William  Marriot, 

Bfnjamin  Rhodes,  Robi,hx  Middleton, 

William  Miles,  Joseph  Bulmer, 

Jabez  Bunting,  Luke  H aslope, 

George  Whitfield,  Thojias  Allan, 

l^iLLiAM  Jbrram,  Joseph  BuxTERWORXKi 


hi^r'! 


The  committee  chose  from  the  above  the  following 

officers : 

Joseph  Benson,  President 
William  aiARRioT,  Treasurer. 
Joseph  Butterworth,  Secretary. 

The  first  act  of  the  committee,  was  to  lend  between 
three  and  four  hundred  pounds,  in  order  to  honour  tlie 
bills  which  had  been  drawn  upon  Dr.  Coke  and  Mr. 
WhitfieUl,  on  account  of  the  missions. 

In  order  to  refund  the  above  sum,  and  to  provide  lor 
further  demands,  a  circular  letter  was  sent  to  the   van- 
ous  circuits,  desiring,  that  collections  should  be  imme- 
diately  made  in  our  chapels  throughout  Great- Britain. 
This  produced  an  enlarged  correspondence  on  the  sub- 
ject, and   it  was  found  to  be  the  general  desire  of  the 
people,  to  have  some  accounts  of  the  missions  regularly 
published,  with  a  full  detail  of  receipts  and  expenditures. 
Thecommittee  feel  very  desirous  to  comply  with  the  wish- 
es  of  the  numerous  subscribers,  and  to  render  every  satis- 
faction  in  their  power.  They  would  be  glad  to  tngage  the 
public  more  generally  in  this  blessed  work,  by  giving  all 
possible  information;  and  that   they  may   be   enabled, 
from  time  to  time,  to  publish  interesting  accounts  of  the 
missions,   they  would  most  earnestly  recommend  each 
missionary  from  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  to  keep  are- 
gular  journal  of  his  proceedings,  and  all  particular*  |)f 
his  missidn,  together  with  accounts  of  all  remarkable  con- 
versions,  with  the  experience  and  death  of  any  individuals, 
from  which  extracts  might  be  made  for  publication,  and  to 
transmit  this  journal,  or  the  heads  thereof,  at  least  twice 
a  year  to  the  committee,  or   till   the  conference  give 

other  directions.  ,     .    .    • 

It  may  here  be  observed,  that  when  several  missiona- 
rles  are  stationed  in  the  same  colony,  they  might  pctt^ 
ui„  *u:«i,  ;f  ».^ii«Ba  fnr  all  of  them  to  write  home;  im 
the  committee  would,  however,  wish  to  receive   ac 


«;ounts  frc 
together, 
the  whol< 
which  mi 

Thesui 
their  bills 
Road,  Lc 
time,  sen 
tion  of  the 
it  is  parti 
most  exac 
year  180( 
satisfactor 
penditure 

Upon  I 
hint  to  on 
act  obsen 
been  form 
Providenc 
ciety.  A 
private  'im 


•  The  coi 
missions : 

«I.  The 
jeonference, 

«II.  The 
aies  receivet 
bursements  t 
Dr.  Coke,  oi 
laid  before  tl 

"in.  Tha 
Annually  laid 
ed  by  the  coi 
^er,  and  pub 

P  N.  B.  The 
an  ttttoiUiv'e  I 
the  wibject  oi 


JOSHITA  MARSDEN. 


lH^ 


lowing 


T. 

ttary, 

)etween 
our  the 
lud  Mr. 

I  vide  for 
lie  vari* 
3  imme- 
Britain, 
the  sub- 
•e  of  the 
regularly 
mlitures. 
the  wish- 
ery  satiS" 
igage  the 
living  all 
enabled, 
ats  of  the 
end  each 
leep  a  re- 
icularPpf 
Lable  con* 
dividual?,  I 
ou,  and  to 
•ast  twice 
jnce  give 


niissiona 
ight  i» 
lome 
ceive   ac 


oiu- 


counts  from  each,  as  by  comparing  their  several  journals 
together,  a  more  comprehensive  view  might  be  taken  of 
the  whole,  than  could  be  formed  by  any  single  account, 
which  might  perhaps  omit  many  interesting  particulars. 

The  superintendent  missionaries  will-be  pleased  to  draw 
their  bills  on  Mr.  George  Whitfield,  New  Chapel,  City 
Road,  London,  till  further  directions ;  but  at  the  same 
time,  send  advice  thereof,  with  the  particular  nppropria- 
tion  of  the  money,  to  the  secretary  above-mentioned.  An^ 
it  is  particularly  requested,  that  the  missionaries  will 
most  exactly  comply  with  the  conference  minutes  of  the 
year  1800,  in  order  that  the  committee  may  render  a 
satisfactory  account  to  the  subscribers  at  large  of  the  ex- 
penditure of  the  money.  • 

Upon  this  occasion,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  drop  a 
hint  to  our  missionaries,  upon  the  importance  of  an  ex- 
act observance  of  the  Methodist  discipline,  which  has 
been  formed  under  the  immediate  direction  of  Divine 
Providence,  altogether  suited  to  the  state  of  christian  so- 
ciety. A  due  observance  of  the  life  and  conversation  of 
private  members,  and  a  full  determination  to  hold  no 


•  Tlie  conference  adopted  the  following  rules  respecting  the 
missions : 

"  I.  The  superintendents  shall  be  responsible  to  the  English 
Conference,  and  to  their  agent,  the  Reverend  Doctor  Coke. 

"II.  The  superintendents  shall  keep  exact  accounts  of  all  mo- 
nies received  by  them  on  account  of  the  missions,  and  of  all  dis- 
bursements of  that  money,  and  transmit  those  accounts  annually  to 
Dr.  Coke,  or  in  his  absence,  to  the  London  superintendent,  to  be 
laid  before  the  conference. 

"  III.  That  the  collections  and  disbursements  at  large,  shall  bo 
Annually  laid  before  the  conference,  or  before  a  committee  appoint- 
ed by  the  conference  ;  that  they  shall  be  transcribed  into  the  led- 
fifer,  and  published  as  the  conference  shall  appoint." 

Cohf.   Min.  1800,  page  27. 

N-  B.  The  Ix)ndon  committee  recommend  to  all  the  missiouariaci 
an  attentive  perusal  of  the  conference  minutes  for  the  yew  ISOO,  oA 
ihe  f;ul>Ject  of  the  missions. 

M 


tii 


't  ';i\6 


134 


JWEMOIRS  OF 


♦ommunion  \?ith  those  that  walk  disorderly,  let  theif 
situation  or  circumstances  be  what  they  may,  will  have 
a  great  tendency  to  promote  vital  godliness,  and  to  ren- 
der our  societies  a  savour  of  life  unto  lilc. 

Wherever  a  society  is  formed,  it  is  of  great  importance 
teat  stewards  should  be  chosen  ta  conduct  the  temporal 
affairs,  and  leaders  appointed  to  the  classes:  this  pre- 
Tents  reproach  from  falling  on  the  ministry,  and  is  of  es- 
sential service  in  many  respects.     Individuals  become 
more  concerned  for  the  welfare  of  the  society  when  they 
ieel  a  personal  in(erest  therein ;  and  when  officers  arc 
♦hosen  in  the  church  of  Christ  from  among  the  people, 
it  mutually  strengthens  the  common  bond  of  union  be- 
tween them  and  the  preachers.     It  is  especially  neces- 
sary to  have  leaders  and  stewards,  where  there  is  a  pro- 
bability of  any  change  of  preachers,  in  order  that  when 
fresh  preachers  come  to  the  place,  they  may  have  some 
persons  to  whom  they  can  apply  for  needful  assistance 
•n  their  arrival;  and  also  that  there  may  be  resident 
overseers,  who  will  endeavour  to  keep  the  flock  together 
in  the  absence  of  their  pastors. 

Without  the  united  exertions  of  the  missionaries 
abroad  and  of  the  friends  at  home,  it  should  seem  that 
*his  important  work  must  fall  to  the  gronnd ;  but  after 
the  peculiar  blessing  and  glorious  success  which  have 
hitherto  accompanied  these  missions,  we  feel  most  deep- 
ly concerned  to  go  on  hand  in  hand  in  building  up  the 
■walls  of  our  Jerusalem ;  and  after  using  every  lawful 
means,  we  refer  all  to  the  great  Head  of  the  church, 
who  uses  what  instruments  he  pleases  to  execute  his  own 

designs. 

We  beg  you  to  address  all  communicalions  intended 
for  the  committee,  to  the  Secretary,  Mr.  Joseph  But- 
TERWORTH,  No.  43  Fleet-strect,  London.  Requesting 
to  hear  frequently  of  your  proceedings,  in  order  to  stimu- 
late our  exertions  and  prayers  in  your  behalf,  we  na\? 
commend  you  to  God;  even  our  Father,  wh«  shall  sup- 


jily  all  yi 
Christ  Je 


£>EAR  SID 

It  is  t] 
to  hear  f 
favoured 
ings,  ths 
work  in 
a  particu 
ther  we 
we  shou 

Dr.  \ 
to  an  ex 

We  h 
from  the 
Our  ene 
posite  c 
ported. 

The  < 
prosperc 

Well 
will  be  I 

Pray 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


I3k 


^]y  all  your  need  according  to  his  riches  ill  glory,  hjc 

€hrist  Jesas. 

We  are 

Your  affectionate  brethren, 
Joseph  Benson, 
Joseph  Taylor, 
Thomas  Rutherfor|>j 
Benjamin  Rhodes, 
William  Myles, 
Jabez  Bunting, 
George  Whitfield. 


^ 


(postscript.) 

London^  24th  Marcht  1804, 

i>EAR  Sin, 

It  is  the  sincere  and  earnest  desire  of  friends  at  homd 
to  hear  from  you,  and  know  how  you  are  going  on ;  to  b© 
favoured  with  full  and  free  accounts  of  all  your  proceed- 
ings, that  we  may  know  how  to  help  you  in  the  blessed 
work  in  which  you  are  employed.  Pray  favour  us  witli 
a  particular  answer  to  the  printed  letter,  and  say  whe- 
ther we  should  send  you  some  books  to  distribute,  how 
we  should  send  them,  and  which  would  be   most  useful. 

Dr.  Whitehead  is  dead,  and  Mr.  Bunting  is  married 
to  an  excellent  wife  from  Macclesfield. 

We  have  been  in  daily  expectation  of  an  invasions 
from  the  French,  but  we  trust  that  God  will  protect  us. 
Our  enemies  have  an  immense  force  collected  on  the  op- 
posite coast,  200,000  men  and   1200   vessels,  it  is  re-» 

ported. 

The  connexion  is  at  peace,  and  in  many  places  very 

pros[)erous. 

We  trust  that  a  correspondence  with  our  missionaries 
will  be  hiffhlv  useful  both  at  home  and  abroad. 

Fray  favour  us  with  the  geography  and  history  of  thfe 


( 


is 

4", 


Id6 


MJEMOmS  Olf 


itouutry.  We  hope  you  will  keep  a  journal,  and  tranoi^ 
m\t  us  all  jtarticulars.  May  the  Lord  prosper  you  abuDh 
dantly. 

All  the  preachers  and  the  committee  join  in  kind  loye 
with,  Dear  Sir, 

Your  aftectionate  friend  and  servant, 
JOSEPH  BUTTERWORTH, 


Mriracl  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Joshua  Marsden,  to  th£ 

Rev.  Dr.  Coke. 

City  St.  John,  New-Brunswick... 

REV.  SIR, 

Your  kind  letter,  and  that  of  the  Missionary  Com.- 
mittec,  '.vere  like  cordials  to  my  drooping  spirits.  Nur- 
sed among  my  brethren  the  preachers,  animated  by  their 
counsel,  formed  by  their  example,  and  instructed  by  theic 
conversation,  judge  what  my  feelings  must  have  been  when 
Qut  off  from  almost  all  intercourse  with  them.  Sometime* 
I  was  tempted  to  think  our  brethren  at  home  had  forgotten 
us,  and  that  we  w«jre  left  to  shift  for  ourselves  in  a  strange 
land,  where  barren  rocks,  interposing  rivers,  dreary  woods, 
and  almost  impassable  roads,  were  the  first  trials  of  our 
infant  ministry !  I  mention  these  things,  that  young 
brethren,  with  but  little  experience  or  fortitude,  may  not 
be  .  ent  upon  such  an  arduous  undertaking.  None  but 
veterans  of  well-tried  patience,  prudence,  piety,  fortitude, 
are  properly  qualified  to  act  as  Missionaries  in  this 
country. 

Our  voyage  of  six  weeks  was  stormy  and  tempestu- 
ous. Nevertheless,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  we  could 
read,  pray,  sing  hymns,  and  every  sabbathday,  preach 
the  word  of  reconciliation  to  the  seamen  and  passengers. 
Once  we  were  chased  by  a  corvette  privateer,  which 
bore  down  upon  ue,  but  as  we  were  two  in  company,  and 
]lN)lh  well  aroied,  she  thought  fit  to  sheer  off.    Nothing 


material  I 
foundlani! 
died.  Hf 
yet,  thoug 
sincere,  ai 

On  Mo 
and  were 
Halifax  is 
ants.  T\ 
an  air  of  i 
ProtestanI 
church,  a 

The  pe 
and  many 
while  age 
to  obtain 
fax,  to  ma 
culiar  res| 
offer  of  a  ] 
Our  Chap( 
sand  peof) 
ed.  Adjf 
house.  1 
them  peo| 
try  round  I 
niantic  pr< 
good,  and 
other  part 
well  garri 
harbours  i 

After  st 
set  out  foi 
St.  John, 
head  of  F 
Windsor, 
tion,  and 
e:sperieoci 


iOSEOJA  MARSDEN. 


ihi 


k 


material  happened  till  we  arrived  near  the  banks  of  New- 
foumllund,  wiien  Captain  Blunt,  a  passenger  on  boardf 
died.  He  wks  an  old  sailor,  and  a  rough  Methodist ;' 
yet,  though  his  manners  were  rude,  I  trust  his  heart  was 
sincere,  and  I  expect  to  meet  him  in  heavenly  glory. 

On  Monday  morning,  Oct.  6,  we  landed  at  UalifaT^ 
and  were  conducted  to  the  house  of  brother  Black. 
Halifax  is  a  large  town,  containing  about  8000  inhabit- 
ants. The  houses  are  chiefly  built  of  wood,  and  hav© 
an  air  of  neatness  and  elegance.  In  the  town  are  two 
Protestant  churches,  besides  a  Scotch  kirk,  a  Romislii 
church,  a  Baptist  meeting-house,  and  a  Methodist  chapel. 

The  people  in  general  are  kind)  polite,  well-informed, 
and  many  of  them  friends  to  the  Methodists.  A  little 
while  ago,  Mr.  Black  and  I  waited  upon  the  Governor 
to  obtain  [)ermission  for  the  preacher,  resident  in  Hali- 
fax, to  marry  by  license.  We  were  received  with  pe- 
culiar respect. ;  he  granted,  our  request,  and  made  us  au 
oflfer  of  a  piece  of  land  for  the  use  of  the  Halifax  Society. 
Our  Chapel  is  not  handsome,  but  will  hold  nearly  a  thou-< 
sand  people,  and  on  sabbath-evening,  is  generally  crowd- 
ed. Adjoining  the  chapel  is  a  very  good  preacher's 
house.  The  society  is  in  number  about  140,  some  of 
them  people  of  influence  and  respectability.  The  coun- 
try round  Halifax  exhibits  a  scene  of  barrenness,  but  a  ro- 
mantic prospect.  The  roads,  however,  are  remarkably 
good,  and  the  climate  is  more  moderate  than  in  any 
other  part  of  Nova  Scotia.  The  town  is  well  fortified, 
well  garrisoned,  and  has  one  of  the  most  commodious 
harbours  in  all  North  America. 

After  staying  a  week  in  Halifax,  brother  Lowry  and  I 
set  out  for  Windsor,  his  appointment  being  the  city  of 
St.  John,  New-Brunswick,  and  mine  Cumberland,  at  the 
head  of  Fundy  Bay.  On  the  road  from  Halifax  to 
Windsor,  I  had  an  opportunity  of  reflecting  on  my  situa- 
tion, and  viewed  myself  as  a  young  man,  with  but  little 
experience,  littje  religion,  little  fortitude,  and  placed  i|i 


J. 


m 


!VIEM01RS  or 


^ 


;|pne  of  the  moat  critical  and  trying  situations  in  the  world; 
to  be  a  minister  of  the  everlasting  gospel,  a  guide  of  pre- 
'^cious  souls,  and  a  missionary  in  a  foreign  land.  1  had  while 
I*in  England,  earnestly  besought  the  Lord  to  open  a  door 
for  me  to  act  as  a  missionary ;  but  1  then  found  J.  had 
not  sufficiently  counted  the  .cost,  nor  duly  considered  my 
own  inability.     The  discouraging  thoughts  which  arose 
in  ray  mind  were  not  a  little  augmented  by  the  appear- 
ance of  the  country,  which  is  naked,  wild,  barren,  and 
mountainous,  with  only  here  and  there  a  house.*     These 
things  made  my  first  journey  of  46  miles  both  tedious 
and   uncomfortable.     Late  in  the  evening,  we  arrived 
at  Windsor,  and  were  directed  to  the  house  if  a  Mr. 
Church,  a  member  of  the  society,  and  respectable  farm- 
er.    Windsor  is  a  small  village  pleasantly  situated,  and 
surrounded,  for  a  few  miles,  with  ihe  best  land  in  Nova 
Scotia.    Near  the  town  stands  the  college,  now  consitu- 
ted  a  University.  The  inhabitants  seem  fond  of  dress,and 
Teligion  appears  to  be  well  nigh  banished  from  the  place, 
.^hile  intoxication  among   the  lower  orders  of  people, 
and  fashion  and  pleasure  among  such  as  are  termed  the 
better  sort,  supply  its  room.     There  is  a  church  and  a 
small  Methodist  chapel  near  the  town ;  but  our  society 
is  dwindled  away,  and  only  two  or  three  remain   to  la- 
ment the  sad  dtclcnsion.     This  has  happened  chiefly,  I 
believe,  through  want  of  pveaching.     Brother  Black  and 
others  have  been  the  instruments  of  some  short  revivals; 
but  having  no  successors  to  water  the  seed  he  had  sown, 
it  died  away,  and  the  people  became  more  cold  and  un- 
concerned than  before.     We  preached  here  a  few  times, 
and  afterwards  brother  Lowry  sailed  for  his  appointment 
across  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  and  1  went  on  board  the  pack- 
et for  Partridge  Island  on  my  tVay  to  Cumberland. 


*  Tliis  relates  chiefly  to  that  part  of  Nova  Scotia  that  is  betwixt 
ilaiifax  ami  Wui«»w,  j)erlmjt«  »«  »o»t  drearj-  ]f"<^  **  «*«  T7«viJt 
vproviwcej 


Cumberl 
miles  long, 
but  the  roai 
ny  of  the  s 
whom  wer 
Methodistb 
ing  Christi 
We  hav( 
and  anothi 
and  true  i 
there  was 
brother  Bli 
piely  has  b 
ly  any  ves 
The  circui 
present  th 
among  the 
but  little  t 

I  had  n€ 
my  health 
ther  comin 
lying  in  a  < 
paid  little 
obliged  to 
a  cough,  a 
far  from  m; 
from  my  h 
cal  help,  I 
and  patier 
be  thankf 
Btrangers, 
cordials  tc 

I  had  n 
tives,  and 

to    CODClu 

worthy  ol 
k^(X  with  I 


.MXm 


JOSHUA  marsde:^. 


I^ 


Cumberland  circuit  is  in  a  zigzag  line,  about  forty 
miles  long.  The  settlemeat  is  populous  and  productive, 
but  the  roads  are  bad,  and  the  country  unpleasant.  Ma- 
ny of  the  settlers  are  people  from  Yorkshire,  some  of 
whom  ivere  Methodists  in  Englantl.  But,  besides  the 
Methodistb,  there  are  various  denominations  of  profess- 
ing Christian?,  and  not  a  few  Deists. 

We  have  two  meetinghouses,  one  at  Pont  de  Bute^ 
and  another  at  Sackville,  hut  the  societies  are  small, 
and  true  religion  in  a  very  languid  state.  Formerly 
there  was  a  great  revival  in  this  circuit,  at  which  time 
brother  Black  was  raised  up,  but  since  that  time,  vital 
piely  has  been  continually  upon  the  decline,  and  scarce- 
ly any  vestiges  of  the  former  work  of  God  are  now  seen. 
The  circuit  is  large  enough  for  three  preachers,  but  at 
present  they  have  but  two  local  brethren  to  labour 
among  them,  who,  being  much  involved  in  trade,  have 
but  little  time  to  preach  the  gospel. 

I  had  not  long  travelled  in  Cumberland  circuit  before 
my  health  began  to  suffer  considerable.  Stormy  wea^ 
ther  coming  on,  through  preaching  almost  everyday,  and 
lying  in  a  damp  bed,  1  caught  a  severe  cold.  At  first  I 
paid  little  attention  to  it,  till  becoming  hoarse,  I  was 
obliged  to  discontinue  preaching.  My  cold  brought  on 
a  cough,  a  fever,  and  a  spitting  of  bfi^.  Being  now- 
far  from  my  native  country, among  stmi^rs,  at  a  distance 
from  my  brethren  the  missionaries,  and  destitute  of  medi- 
cal help,  I  found  the  affliction  a  severe  trial  of  my  faith 
and  patience.  Nevertheless,  I  had  abundant  reason  to 
be  thankful ;  I  found  a  home  in  God,  brethren  among 
utrangers,  and  the  comforts  of  the  Holy  Spirit  were  sweet 
cordials  to  my  soul. 

I  had  now  time  to  examine  my  views,  weigh  my  mo- 
tives, and  prove  my  graces.  And  truly  I  found  reason 
to  conclude  that  my  designs  and  desires  were  not  un- 
worthy of  the  sacred  ministry.  Friends  watched  my 
k^(X  with  unabating  attention,  and  marked  every  step  of 


vil 


* 


140 


MEMOIRS  OF 


disorder  with  peciili 


>ty.     My  peace 


8  orer^ 

fluiviug,  my  joys  unuUerahie,  ami  my  mind  raided  above 
tiie  utUictlou,  and  all  woi  Kily  entangiements.  1  had  clear 
diacoveriea  of  my  interest  in  Uhribt,  bright  pro8|>ects  of 
eternal  glory,  a  strong  confidence  in  the  truth  and  faith- 
fulness ot  the  Redeemer,  and  experienced  a  metk  submis- 
sion to  the  will  or  God.  In  the  early  |)art  of  the  afflic- 
tion, I  was  uncertain  what  the  LorJ  was  about  to  do 
with  me:  but  this  text,  which  dwelt  upon  my  mind,  "  I 
shall  not  die  but  live,  and  declare  the  works  of  the  Lord," 
opened  some  prospect  of  a  recovery.  The  friends,  ia 
general)  gave  me  up)  supposing  it  impossible  1  should  re- 
cover ;  yet  prayer  was  made  in  every  part  of  the  circuit, 
and  the  minds  of  the  people  were  remarkably  affected, 
considering  my  affliction  as  a  j<nlgment  upon  them  for 
their  unfaithfulness  to  the  grace  of  God.  Many  were 
wont  to  crowd  about  my  bed  weeping  and  sorrowful ; 
and  on  one  occasion,  the  room  being  full,  1  prevailed  ou 
them  to  prop  me  up  in  bed,  and  I  spoke  to  them  of  the 
things  of  God,  and  the  sweetness  of  religion.  It  was  an 
affecting  time;  sighs,  tears,  and  lamentations  made  the 
scene  truly  solemn. 

During  this  affliction,  I  had  a  striking  view  of  the  du- 
ty, honour,  and  reward  of  a  faithful  minister,  and  I  long- 
ed to  do  something  for  Christ  and  immortal  souls.  My 
heart  was  enlarged  to  all  the  human  race  in  an  inexpres- 
sible manner,  and  the  love  that  casieth  oidfiar  was  the 
ruling  passion  of  my  soul.  For  some  time  1  was  in  a 
strait  betwixt  two,  a  longing  to  enjoy  the  full  manifesta- 
tion of  Christ  in  glory,  and  a  desire  to  promote  his 
kingdom  by  living  longer.  At  length  it  pleased  the  Lord 
to  cause  the  symptoms  that  were  most  alarming  to  abate, 
and  by  slow  degrees  to  restore  my  wonted  health.  Yet 
it  was  some  time  before  1  could  venture  out,  and  resume 
iriy  labour  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  Respecting  this  af- 
fliction, I  have  to  remark,  1st.  That  it  weaned  me  from 
fiends  and  reiationSj  aud  taught  mK  to  coiieiiler  Guu  4s 


the  only  su 
2dly.  It  pre 
me  the  vani 
It  gave  me 
truths  of  th 
experiencin 
needed  8up( 
my  precept< 
in  the  schoc 
my  heaven 
I  continu 
little  succe 
gregations  \ 
excepting  t 
were  remai 
wept  and  i 
treat  them, 
ed  to  God. 
ger,  and  of 
the  obdurat 
butulas!  th 
Those  who 
to  the  wor 
vain.  The 
has  done  in 
cal  piety.  ' 
one  to  ano 
Falls  from 
soul  humbU 
ly  defiles  tl 
remains  pui 
duty,  and  \ 
been  recko 
to  say  the 
hope  in  a  f< 
l^ny  were 


JOJftlUA  MARSDEN. 


m 


the  only  support  and  relicity  of  an  immortal  spirit* 
2dly.  It  prepared  my  mind  for  th«  ministry,  by  showing 
ine  the  vanity  of  the  world  and  all  other  pursuits.  3dly. 
It  gave  me  a  clearer  and  more  affecting  view  of  the  great 
truths  of  the  gospel,  by  atfording  me  an  opportunity  of 
experiencing  their  efficacy  in  supporting  me  when  1  most 
needed  support.  Herein  God  was  |)leased  to  make  paiti 
my  preceptor,  and  taught  me  important  lessons  of  wisdom 
in  the  school  of  affliction  ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  God 
jny  heavenly  corrector.     Amen  and  Amen! 

I  continued  labouring  in  the  Cumberland  circuit,  with 
little  success,  till  the  ensuing  Conference.  Our  con- 
gregations were  tolerably  large  on  the  Lord's  day  }  but, 
excepting  (he  members  of  society,  the  people  in  general 
were  remarkably  hardened  and  impenitent.  My  soul 
wept  and  mourned  for  them :  Many  times  did  I  en- 
treat them,  with  tears  of  |)ity  and  sorrow,  to  be  reconcil- 
ed to  God.  Many  times  did  I  warn  them  of  their  dan* 
ger,  and  of  the  awfulness  of  their  state,  and  sometimes, 
the  obdurate  were  bent,  and  the  stony  hearts  melted ; 
but  alas  !  these  good  impressions  were  too  often  transient. 
Those  whom  the  word  had  wounded,  generally  applied 
to  the  world  for  a  cure,  and  my  labour  was  almost  in 
vain.  The  doctrine  of  the  New-Light  Antinomians 
has  done  infinite  injury  to  the  cause  of  pure  and  practi- 
cal piety.  "  I  can  do  nothing,"  is  hackneyed  about  from 
one  to  another  in  a  dreadful  and  disgusting  manner. 
Falls  from  grace  are  supposed  to  be  usefu?,  as  keeping  the 
soul  humble ;  and  some  have  gone  so  far  as  to  say,  sin  on- 
ly defiles  the  shell,  the  body,  while  the  soul,  the  kernel, 
remains  pure  and  unpolluted.  Prayer  is  called  a  formal 
duty,  and  works  of  faith,  and  morality  of  conduct  have 
been  reckoned  the  grossest  legality.  But  I  am  happy 
to  say  these  doctrines  are  losing  ground  daily,  and  I 
hope  in  a  few  years,  they  will  have  no  more  influence. 
3^ny  were  my  trials  this  yearj  bad  roads,  stormy  wea« 


w. 


ilH'1 

•ii'ill 


'0^''- 


142 


MEMOIRS  OP 


ther,  painrul  feelings,  want  of  ability  for  the  work,  anil 
little  fruit,  gave  me  the  keenest  distresses. 

Cumberland  is  a  wicked  place ;  but  there  are  a  few 
pious  souls  there,  and  I  hope  my  labour  was  not  altoge. 
ther  lost :  we  had  some  precious  and  refreshing  seasons 
(■ogelher. 

In  the  spring  I  went  to  the  Conference  hek!  at  Anna- 
polis, near  two  hundred  miles  from  Cumberland,  where 
my  drooping  heart  was  much  comforted  by  the  sight  of 
my  brethren.  Our  little  meeting  was  conducted  in  the 
spirit  of  brotherly  love  and  godly  fear  :  and  as  the  Cum- 
berland people  petitioned  for  my  retarn,  the  Conference 
stationed  me  there  again.  This  was  a  distressing  year 
to  my  soul,  perplexed  with  outward  trials,  vexed  with  in- 
ward temptations,  and  dejec(ed  at  my  want  of  success  in 
my  labours,  I  was  almost  led  to  murmur  against  the 
Lord.  Were  I  faithfully  todelineate  my  feelings,  1  should 
exhibit  such  a  picture  of  darkness  and  gloominess  as  i» 
seldom  seen.  Many  a  solitary  mile  have  I  rode,  be- 
wailing in  the  bitterness  of  my  soul  my  unhappy  situa- 
tion ;  and  had  not  the  Lord  supported  me,  I  should  cer- 
tainly have  sunk  in  the  mighty  billows  of  despair. 

During  this  winter  I  visited  Ramsheg,  a  settlement 
on  the  gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  chiefly  composed  of  French 
people,  and  emigrants  from  the  United  State?.  Here  all 
the  travelling  is  upon  the  ice;  the  rivers,  bays,  and  even 
the  gulf  itself,  for  many  miles,  are  all  covered  with  ice, 
for  many  months  every  year.  Notwithstanding  the  dif- 
ficulty of  travelling,  the  people  came  in  great  numbers  to 
•hear  the  won! ;  and  the  Lord  blessed  my  unworthy  mi- 
nistry to  many  souls.  We  had  many  sweet  times  of  re- 
freshing from  the  divine  presence,  the  little  society  was 
quickened,  and  two  or  three  souls  awakened  to  see  their 
need  of  a  Saviour.  But  as  the  ice  by  and  by  became 
weak,  my  stay  was  not  long.  I  had,  however,  two  or 
iliree  narrow  esca<^es  from  the  i»ws  o    unUmely  death. 


Blesiged  be  i 

of  my  siilva 

Though  1 

preaching,  t 

nue  to  meet 

gcrved  then" 

ness  with  w 

•ullies  they 

among  them 

ed  among  t 

eome  christi 

land  and  Ir 

gospel.     W 

ishould  be  si 

80  many  thi 

of  are  depri 

had   an  oi 

for  the  won 

ten,  fifteen, 

ing.     An  1: 

thing  could 

dreary  gulf 

land  liide,  ( 

pavement, 

beast.     Bu 

were   seen 

akating,  ot 

some  on  li 

fastened  to 

from  this  si 

dangerous : 

ate  leave  < 

them  agaii 

About  t; 

from  visit] 

in  the  spri 

CfOaferenc 


?  ■ 


JOSmJA  MARSDEN. 


140 


anii  Blessed  be  my  Hock ;  yea,  adored  for  ever  be  the  God 

of  my  salvation. 

Thoi»gh  this  settlement  lies  much  out  of  the  way  of 
preachifig,  they  have  about  forty  in  society,  who  conti- 
nue to  meet  together,  and  the  Lord  hath  wonderfully  pre- 
served them  by  his  power  and  grace.  '  From   the  eager- 
ness with  which  they  came  out  to  hear  the  word,  the  difli- 
•ulties  they  surmountt  .1,  and  the  tenderness  of  mind  visible 
among  them,  I  judged  that  if  they  had  a  preacher  station- 
ed among  them,  the  whole  settlement  almost  would  be- 
come christians  and  memliers  of  society.     Many  in  Eng- 
land and  Ireland  do  not  know  how  to  value  a  preached 
gospel.     What  a  pity  that  such  an  inestimable  blessing 
jshould  be  slighted  or  abused  !     And  what  a  mystery  that 
80  many  that  would  willingly  embrace  the  benefits  there- 
of are  deprived  of  them.     While  I  was  at  Ramsheg,  I 
had   an   opportunity    of  witnessing  their  heartfelt  love 
for  the  word.     It  was  not  uncommon  for  persons  to  come 
ten,  fifteen,  twenty,  and  even  thirty  miles  to  the  preach- 
ing.    An  hour  or  two  before  the  time  of  preaching  no- 
thing could  be  seen  but  frozen  rivers  and  bays,  and   the 
dreary  gulf  also  frozen    to  a  great  extent;  and,  on  the 
land  Bide,  dark  and  impenetrable  woods  skirti n«r  the  icy 
pavement,  all   seemingly  without  inhabitant  of  man  or 
beast.     But  as  the  appointed  hour  drew  near,  the  people 
were   seen  corning    in   groups,  from  all  quarters,  some 
«kating,  others  on  large  sledges  drawn  by  oxen,    and 
some  on  little  slays  (  a  few  boards  nailed  together  and 
fastened  to  a  horse.)     I  could  hardly  tear  myself  away 
from  this  simple,  loving  people ;  but  the  ice  was  becornie 
dangerous:  so  that  I  was  compelled  to  take  an  aflfection- 
ate  leave  of  them,  not  knowing  that  I  should  ever  sec 
them  again  till  the  resurrection  of  the  just. 

About  the  middle  of  M^irch,  I  returned  to  my  circuit, 
from  visiting  Ramsheg,  as  mentioned  above,  and  early 

in  the  gnrins-  set  out  for  AnnanoHs.  to  attend  our  second 

,  — ^  -  .        .  . .  — 

CfOaference.    At  this  meetingy  it  was  moved  and  otrr- ' 


i\ 


«i 


lU 


itffiMOiiis  or 


it  ^• 


1- 


rip<'»  that  as  the  circuits  were  without  the  ordinances  of 
BH()tiem  and  ttie  Lonra  supper,  the  young  brethren,  who 
h'ui  come  from  England,  ahouhl  go  to  tlie  N#\v-York 
Conference,  to  be  more  lully  set  apart  for  the  work  of 
the  ministry.  Accordingly,  having  settled  our  little  mat- 
ters, we  embarke<l  for  that  city  ;  and,  after  a  short  and 
pleasant  passage  of  six  days,  we  arrived  just  in  time  to 
attend  the  meeting.  Most  of  the  preachers  appeared  to 
be  zealous  youa-  men,  and  the  superintendents, 
Messrs.  Ashury  and  Whatcoat,  seemed  peculiarly  fitted 
for  their  important  station.  During  the  ordination-service, 
my  mind  was  deeply  affected  with  the  importance  of 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  1  felt  a  strong  and  fix- 
ed desire  to  consecrate  my  ail  to  the  service  of  my 
heavenly  Master. 

We  stayed  in  New- York  only  a  few  days,  and  thf^ii 
e-embarked  for  the  cohl  and  rugged  shores  of  Nova 
Scotia,  emphatically  so  when  compared  with  the  beau- 
tiful and  fertile  bloom  of  the  United  States.  Brother 
Bennet  and  I  took  our  passage  on  board  a  vessel 
bound  for  Annapolis,  where  I  was  appointed  to  labour 
for  a  few  months.  Annapolis,  formerly  the  capital  of 
Nova  Scotia,  is  now  no  more  than  a  small  village.  It 
is  situated  upon  a  river  of  the  same  name,  and  near  one 
of  the  finest  basons  for  shipping  in  the  world.  In  the 
town  there  is  a  Church,  a  Court-house,  beautiful  Barracks, 
and  a  small  neat  Methodist  chapel.  The  circuit  is 
large  and  populous,  having  many  settlements  on  both 
iidea  of  the  river;  and  professing  christians  are,  as  in 
other  parts  of  the  province,  much  divided  in  their  reli- 
gious sentiments.  But  the  Methodists,  Baptists,  and 
Church  people,  are  the  most  numet  »U8.  There  are  five 
Protestant  churches,  three  Bartist  meetings,  and  two 
Methodist  chapels.  Tli  churches  are  all  occupied  l)y 
ministers,  who  call  i     int  baptism  regeneration,  end  think 


^I««£a    A^vimAnvr    I  Vl£b     Tlonliala    OVO 


9  steady  moral  people.    Mr.  Chipman,  their  minister, 


Jives  and  | 
man. 

The  M< 
zealous  am 
of  them  ha 
to  God.  1 
and  a  few 

While  I 
revive  his 
from  his  pi 
up  our  mee 
now  in  hea 
the  meetini 
was  very  e 
ing  prospei 
Annapolis 
Fundy  for 

St.  John 
English  to 
with  a  larg 
town  cont 
chiefly  Ch 
of  New-Lij 
ans.  The 
ful  organ; 
church,  is 
repair,  and 
ciety  in  1 
encourage 
the  noblest 
chiefly  poo 

The  wir 
pepetually 


•  Tliey  ha 
aH.  while  th 
^ven  by  the 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


145 


JircB  and  preaches  the  gospel,  being  a  pious  and  holy 

man. 

The  Methodists,  however,  are  evidently  the  most 
zealous  and  lively  people  in  the  country.  Very  many 
of  them  have  considerable  talents^  and  are  truly  devoted 
to  God.  There  are  about  ninety  white  people  in  society, 
and  a  few  pious,  circumspect  blacks. 

While  I  was  in  this  circuit,  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
revive  his  work ;  we  had  glorious  times  of  refreshing 
from  his  presence,  and  often  found  it  diflicult  to  break 
up  our  meetings.  One  brought  to  God,  at  that  time,  h 
now  in  heavenly  glory.  Old  christians  were  quickened, 
the  meetings  were  well  attended,  and  sometimes  the  Lord 
was  very  eminently  present.  In  the  midst  of  these  promi'sj- 
ing  prospects,  I  was  called  away  to  ot.  John.  I  lef£ 
Annapolis  with  peculiar  regret,  aud  crossed  the  Bay  of 
Fundy  for  that  city. 

St.  John,  the  capital  of  New  Brunswick,  is  like  a  small 
English  town  or  large  village  It  is  built  upon  a  rock, 
with  a  large  navigable  river  running  at  the  foot  of  it.  The 
town  contains  about  two  thousand  inhabitants,  who  are 
chiefly  Church  people  or  Methodists,  with  a  small  society 
of  New-Lights,  (as  they  are  termed)  and  a  few  Presbyteri- 
ans. The  church  is  an  elegant  building,  with  a  beauti- 
ful organ;  but  the  Methodist  chapel,  formerly  the  old 
church,  is  a  small  and  inconvenient  place,  much  out  of 
repair,  and  indeed  almost  coming  down.* — Could  the  so- 
ciety in  England  give  them  fifty  or  eighty  pounds,  to 
encourage  them  to  build  another,  it  would  be  an  act  of 
the  noblest  charity,  as  the  members  of  the  society  are 
chiefly  poor,  and  many  of  the  inhabitants  unfriendly. 

The  winters  here  are  intrnsely  cold,  and  the  summers 
pepetually  foggy.     There  are  no  mossy  fountains,  smi- 


4!     -  ' 


*  They  have  now  a  fine  spacious  chapel  raised,  though  not  finish- 
Ad's  whilA  the  author  was  there  :  aud  the  doustiou  inentlODed  wfts 
-given  by  the  Mission  Comuuttce. 


N 


146 


MEMOIRS  OF 


ling  meails,  purling  rills,  blooming  gardens,  or  lorely 
groves;  but  the  whole  scene  is  barren,  rocky,  deformed, 
and  unpleasant.    Many  of  the  members  of  society  are 
the  spiritual  children  of  that  excellent  young  man,  Mr. 
Bishop,  whose  name  and  memory  will  long  be  like  oint- 
ment poured  forth  in  these  parts.     On  the  Sabbath-day 
our  little  chapel  is  well  attended,  and  the  congregation 
ivould  be  larger  were  there  more  room.     The  river  St. 
John  extends  about  three  or  four  hundred  miles  up  the 
country   towards  Lower  Canada,  with  settlements  or 
plantations  on  each  side.    On  many  parts  of  the  river 
we  have  small  societies.    Last  winter  God  was  pleased 
to  revive  his  work  at  Sheffield,  fifty-five  miles  up  the  ri- 
ver, under  the  ministry  of  our  beloved  brother  Bennet. 
Many  were  truly  brought  to  God,  joined  the  society, 
and  continue  to  this  day  to  reflect  lustre  on  the  christian 
name;— May  they  be  stars  in  his  crown  in  the  day  of 
judgment,  and  to  all  eternity !     On  the  banks  of  this 
river  is  a  field  sufficient  to  employ  two  itinerant  preach- 
ers constantly  ;  but  alas !  they  have  only  the  labours  of 
two  local  brethren,  and  a  visit  occasionally  from  the 
preachers   appointed   for  the  city.      There    are    two 
phapels,  one  at  St.  Ann's,  and  another   at    Sheffield ; 
but,  for  want  of  being  supplied  with  preachers,  they 
both  remain  unfinished.    While  I  was  in  this  circuit,  a 
few  were  awakfened  and  added  to  the  society,  both  in 
the  city  and  up  the  river;  and,  blessed  be  God,  some 
of  them  continue  steadfast  to  this  day. 

In  the  spring  I  left  St.  John,  to  attend  the  conference 
at  Windsor,  when  I  was  appointed  for  Liverpool  circuit, 
in  Nova  Scotia.  On  my  way  thither,  1  stopped  three 
months  in  Halifax,  while  brother  Black  wpnt  to  the  city 
St.  John.  Here  I  was  called  to  attend  the  execution  of 
several  deserters,  who  were  shot ;  and  glory  be  to  God, 
my  labour  was  riot  in  vain.  Some  of  them  witnessed  a  good 
eonfession,  and  died  blessing  and  praising  the  name  of  the 
JjOtA  Jesus.  When  brother  Black  returned  from  New 
j^njnswick,  I  sailed  for  my  station  at  Liverpool,  which  is  a 


small  towr 
chiefly  by 
ety  here  is 
beautiful  bi 
tended.     1 
tions,  Meth 
of  the  miss 
ved  upon 
magistrate, 
Liverpo« 
and  forty 
circuit,  bn 
Mutton,  P 
Religion  ia 
ny  of  the  \ 
tinue  any  1 
be  well  ni{ 
From  L 
place  at  H 
ference. 
our  little 
was  once  i 
cuit,  wher 
feet  mann< 
have  .]oin< 
with  Gotl, 
where  I  h 
have  been 
watered. 
I  have 
preached  i 
Youring  tc 
ture;  the 
and  faith 
peace  wit 
tification 
aod  poilul 


*.. 


JOSHUA  MARS  DEN. 


14t 


some 


small  town  on  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic,  supported 
chiefly  by  fishing  and  the  West- India  trade.  Our  soci- 
ety here  ia  respectable,  though  small.  The  chapel  is  a 
beautiful  buiUling,  and  on  the  Lord's  days  very  well  at- 
tended. The  inhabitants  are  divided  into  two  denomina- 
tions, Methodists  and  Congregationali^ts.  In  the  absence 
of  the  missionary,  the  charge  of  the  society  has  devol- 
ved upon  brother  Newton,  who  is  a  local  preacher,  a 
magistrate,  and  a  collecter  of  his  Majesty's  customs. 

Liverpool  is  about  ninety  miles  from  Halifax  by  water, 
and  forty  from  Shelburne.  The  country  parts  of  the 
circuit,  branching  along  the  shore,  comprehend  Port 
Mutton,  Port  Jolly,  Port  Le  Bare,  and  Port  Medway. 
Religion  is  not  in  a  flourishing  state  in  this  circuit,  ma- 
ny of  the  people  removing  away  ;  and,  if  the  war  con- 
tinue any  length  of  time,  it  is  to  be  feared  the  place  will 
be  well  nigh  ruined. 

From  Liverpool  I  was  called  to  supply  brother  Black's 
place  at  Halifax,  while  he  attended  the  Baltimore  con- 
ference. I  stayed  in  Halifarf  till  June,  at  which  time 
our  little  meeting  commenced.— At  this  conference  I 
was  once  more  appointed  to  labour  in  the  St.  John  cir- 
cuit, where  I  am  at  present,  labouring  in  my  imper- 
fect manner,  to  build  the  temple  of  the  Lord.  A  few 
have  joined  the  society  lately,  and  have  found  peace 
with  God,  I  have  just  returned  from  a  visit  up  the  river, 
where  I  have  reason  to  conclude  my  unworthy  labours 
have  been  much  blessed,  and  my  own  soul  graciously 
watered. 

I  have  been  seven  years  in  the  society,  and  have 
preached  almost  six.  The  doctrines  I  have  been  endea- 
vouring to  inculcate  are,  man's  fall  and  depravity  of  na- 
ture; the  abundant  mercy  of  God  in  Christ;  repentance 
and  faith  in  Christ,  as  the  terms  or  conditions  of  finding 
peace  with  God ;  a  present  salvation  from  guilt  by  jus- 
tification through  Christ's  blood,  and  from  the  power 
and  poUutioQ  of  sin,  by  the  sanctifyiu^  influences  of  the 


'    .   1  a ! . 


I  r 


148 


MEMOIRS  Of 


I 

;   i 


Holy  Spirit.  These,  and  the  doctrines  connected  with 
them,  compose  the  principal  of  my  discourses,  are  the 
basis  of  my  hope,  and  the  delight  of  my  soul.  The 
Methodist  disciuline,  as  one  chief  mean  of  preserving  our 
societies,  I  cordially  approve  of,  an«l  am  determined, 
God  beiog  my  helper,  to  enforce  continually.  And  I 
hope  to  persevere  in  the  faith,  and  to  experience  the  et- 
ficacy  of  the  above  truths,  till  my  spirit  return  to  God, 
and  my  warfare  is  accomplished. 
'      I  am,  dear  Sir, 

With  great  respect, 
Your  odedient  servant, 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


CHAPTER  Til. 


DURING  this  winter  I  laboured  in  St.  John,  and 
along  the  banks  of  the  river,  with  much  success  and  sa- 
tisfaction. Differences  were  reconciled.  Old  prejudi- 
ces among  the  society  seemed  to  lose  ground.  There 
was  a  visible  increase  of  christian  affection  and  simplici- 
iy  I  divided  the  day  into  regular  parts :  in  the  morn- 
ing,  from  four  till  eight  o'clock,  I  devoted  my  time  to 
reading,  study,  writing,  and  prayer ;  in  the  forenoon,  I  de- 
voted  the  time,  in  a  great  measure,  to  pastoral  visits, 
j,ad  visiting  the  sick;  the  afternoon  was  taken  up  in 
reading,  and  meeting  the  classes,  three  or  four  of  which 
I  met  every  week  j  and  in  the  evening  we  had  a  meet- 
ing  of  one  kind  or  another.  1  pursued  my  labours  with 
alacrity  and  delight.  I  do  not  recollect  when  my  soul 
prospered  more  than  at  this  season ;  nor  do  I  remem- 


% aK«.«. 


wcr  iilai    s.  -c 


ttaut  in  season  and  out  of  season,  was  my  motto ;  hence 


„^..  foU  mnr(>  ihf  flnint  of  mv  dutv.     Be  in-       I 


lit  additioi 
in  differcE 
house,  wh< 
children  oi 
own  bouse 
ence  of  cli 
how  mucli 
try,  and  a< 
they  could 
mons  on  t! 
ly  on  the  t 
other  six  < 
minds  stii 
their  mini 
how  a  mic 
hundred  d 
reason,  jtii 
self  whollj 
If  he  preai 
receive  on 
dollars  for 
then  he  ] 
then  fiftee 
there  is  aj 
and  the  w; 
to  people 
wear  a  th 
should  be  i 
whom,  pel 
the  gospel 
the  Ephe 
came  into 
at  all  seas( 
and  how  1 
you,  but  I 
ly,  and  fr 
tind  to  the 


V  1 


>OSHtA  MAIISDEN. 


149 


lit  addition  to  my  other  duties,  I  held  prayeMneetinga 
in  different  parts  of  the  town  ;  preached  from  house  to 
house,  wherever  a  door  was  opened;  catechised  the 
children  once  a  week,  and  held  a  select  meeting  at  my 
own  house  every  week  for  reading  the  lives  and  experi- 
ence of  christians.  Surely  if  ministers  would  consider 
how  much  their  success  depends  upon  diligence,  indus- 
try, and  active  exertions  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord, 
they  could  hardly  be  satisfied  to  preach  merely  two  ser- 
mons on  the  sabbath-dayi  Alas !  does  Satan  tempt  on- 
ly on  the  sabbath?  D  :  ^'orrupt  nature  lie  dormant  the 
other  six  days  ?  Ha'  c  e  not  daily  need  to  have  out 
minds  stirred  up  ?  And  do  not  people  pay  and  keep 
their  ministers  for  this  self-same  thing  ?  I  do  not  know 
how  a  minister  that  receives  five,  ten,  fifteen,  or  twentT 
hundred  dollars  from  his  people,  can  answer  to  eitk., 
reason,  justice,  or  propriety j  the  neglect  of  giving  him- 
self wholly  and  continually  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
If  he  preach  only  two  sermons  on  the  Lord's  day,  and 
receive  only  five  hundred  dollars  per  annum,  he  has  five 
dollars  for  each  sermon.  Ifhe  have  a  thousand  dollars, 
then  he  has  ten.  If  he  have  fifteen  hundred  dollara* 
then  fifteen  for  every  lime  he  preaches.  I  hardly  think 
there  is  a  just  and  reasonable  proportion  betwixt  the  work 
and  the  wages  in  such  cases.  I  am  by  no  means  a  friend 
to  people  starving  theit-  ministers,  or  forcing  them  to 
wear  a  threadbare  coat,  and  a  shabby  hat;  but  there 
should  be  reason  and  justice  in  all  things.  Sti  Paul,  than 
whom,  perhaps,  no  man  ever  received  less  for  preaching 
the  gospel,  or  laboured  more,  could  nevertheless  say  iO 
the  Ephesiansj  '*Ye  know  IVom  the  first  day  that  I 
came  into  Asia,  after  what  manner  1  have  been  with  you, 
at  all  seasons  serving  the  Lord  with  all  humility  of  mind, 
and  how  I  kept  back  nothing  that  was  profitable  unto 
Jrou,  but  have  showed  you,  and  have  taught  you  public- 
ly, and  from  house  to  house,  testifying  both  to  the  Jews 
and  to  the  Greeks  repentance  towards  Uod,  and  faith  in 


■af-f 


.':<^' 


1 

Iff 


150 


MEMOIRS  OF 


our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  therefore  watch,  and  remember, 
that  by  the  space  of  three  years  I  ceased  not  to  warn 
every  one,  night  and  day,  with  tears."  Here  is  an  ex- 
ample of  diligence !  Did  Paul  confine  his  labours  to  the 
Lord's  day  ?  Did  he  suppose  two  Sunday-sermons  enough 
for  the  whole  week?  Alas!  alas!  how  are  we  fallen 
from  that  ministerial  strictness,  faithfulness,  and  diligence 
recommended  by  the  scripture,  and  exemplified  by  the 

apostles ! 

The  work  of  God  prospered  in  the  city ;  several  were 
added  to  our  number,  and  those  in  society  were  built  up 
and   comforted.     I   well    remember  one  sermon  that  I 
preached  from  these  words: — "  Be  instructed,  O  Jerusa- 
lem !  lest  my  soul  depart  from  thee*'— was  attended  with 
such  a  mighty  power  of  God,  that  nothing  but  groans, 
tears,  sobs,  and  exclamations  were  heard  throughout  the 
chapel.     Some  wept  aloud,   others  were  agitated  in  a 
most  singular  manner,  and  the  effects  of  it  were  visible 
for  many  months;  though  I  know  not  that  ever  I  preached 
a  sermon  under  greater  anxiety  and  depression  of  mind. 
My  very  soul  had  been  harrowed  up  by  some  peculiar 
trials,  and  I  almost  began  to  doubt  whether  or  not  I  was 
called  to  the  ministry  ;  but  the  exercise  of  this  day  broke 
the  snar?,  dissipated  the  clouds,  and  fired  my  soul  with 
renewed  zeal,  courage,  and  resolution.     How  wisely  and 
seasonably  doth  the  Lord  reserve   his  mercies  for  our 
sinking  moments ;  and   when  the  storm  is  at  the  high- 
est, he  comes  walking  upon  the  waves. 

During  this  winter  I  had  many  precious  seasons,  but 
I  had  also  many  powerfuj  trials ;  and  I  am  well  persua- 
ded, the  more  faithfully  a  minister  of  God  discharges  his 
duty,  the  more  the  old  serpent  and  his  brood  of  vipers  will 
quake.  1  had  to  preach  against  sabbath-breaking,  and 
the  magistrates  thought  L  reflected  upon  their  conduct. 
I  had  to  preach  against  dancing,  and  the  gay  thought  I 
renecteu  upoa  ihcm.  I  had  to  prescii  egainst  «ruDicen- 
ness,  and  some  said,  Master,  thou  condemnest  U8.    I  bad 


to  preach 

one  that  h 

to  me  with 

ed  from  th 

deavoured 

agency,  a: 

hearts  of  t 

that  there 

and  that  \ 

devil,  anc 

the  capti^ 

seduced  b 

demon ;    < 

another  o 

Belial.     ' 

versation 

whose  doi 

high  glee 

Marsden 

devil  did 

ting  devil, 

left  the  k 

rantula. 

pointed ; 

•'  If  you  ] 

•  come  ene 

I  had  ^ 

ficial  mei 

ous,  that 

and  refle< 

jury  can 

and  whei 

perty,  se 

pure  moi 

side  of  a 

ety  was  i 
did  I  ne< 


the 


Ibad 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


151 


to  preach  against  smuggling,  and  this  oame  so  home  td 
one  that  he  would  hardly  speak  of  me  with  charity,  or 
to  me  with  pleasantness.     One  sabbath  evening  1  preach, 
ed  from  that  text.;  My  name  is  Legion^  from  which  I  en- 
deavoured to  prove  that  the  wicked  are  under  diabolical 
agency)  and  that  Satan,  in  various  forms,  rules  in  the 
hearts  of  the  children  of  disobedience.     I  also  observed; 
that  there  are  many  evil  spirits  engaged  in  this  bad  work, 
and  that  while  one  man  is  under  the  influence  of  a  lying 
devil,  another  is  seduced  by  a  cheating  devil ;  a  third  is 
the  captive   of  a   proud,  revengeful   devil;  these   are 
seduced  by  a  dancing  devil,  and  those  by  a  backbiting 
demon;    one    is  possessed  of  an   unclean  spirit,    and 
another  of  a  dumb ;  this  is  the  child  of  Mammon,  that  of 
Belial.     The  sermon  furnished  a  topic  of  tea-table  con- 
versation to   the   gay   and   wealthy.     A  certain  lady, 
whose  domestic  belonged  to  the  society,  came  in  mighty 
high  glee  one  day  into  the  kitchen ;  "  So,  Hannah,  Mr. 
Marsden  has  been  preaching  about  devils;  and  which 
devil  did  he  say  was  the  worst,  Hannah  ?"  "  A  backbi- 
ting devil,  madam !"     It  was  enough !  Hannah's  mistress 
left  the  kitchen  as  quick  as  if  she  had  been  bit  by  a  ta- 
rantula.    Some  thought  I  was  too  severe;  others  loo 
pointed ;  thus  did  I  prove  what  Luther  told  Melancthon, 
'*  If  you  preach  the  gospel  faithfully,  men  will  either  be- 
•  come  enemies  to  their  sins,  or  to  you." 

I  had  great  trouble  v  .h  one  man  who  had  been  an  of- 
ficial member;  his  conduct  in  sm**''****g  was  so  notori- 
ous, that  the  whole  society  was  implicated  in  the  charge, 
and  reflected  upon  by  the  world.  Truly,  how  much  in- 
jury can  one  man's  conduct  inflict  upon  a  whole  society ; 
and  when  such  a  man,  with  some  talents,  and  more  pro- 
perty, sets  himself  against  order,  discipline,  and  the 
pure  morality  of  Jesus  Christ,  what  a  thorn  is  he  in  the 
side  of  a  christian  minister,  and  what  a  hurt  to  the  church 


4Viaf  potiitne  Viitn  in  tie  lirtcnm 


Titr  t\\fi?.€i  thino's  the  sQci« 


ety  was  sometimes  ready  to  be  torn  in  pieces.     Never 
did  I  need  more  of  the  wisdom  of  the  serpent,  the  harm;^ 


m 


1512 


AfEMOlRS  Of 


iessness  of  the  dorc,  the  meekness  of  the  lamh,  and  th« 
boldness  of  the  lion,  than  on  this  occasion.  At  one  sea- 
son I  was  upon  the  mountain  of  leopardS)  and  at  another 
time  ill  the  den  of  lions;  but  the  Lord  was  with  me,  and 
blessed  be  his  holy  name,  1  was  enabled  to  outride  the 
storm.  I  knew  the  way  to  calm  every  thing  in  a  trice 
was,  to  compromise  the  purity  of  the  society,  and  to 
tvink  at  a  man's  preaching  one  day  and  gm******g  the 
next.     However,  I  had  not  so  learned  Christ. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  here  to  give  a  more  particular  de- 
scription of  the  city  St.  John:— The  town  is  built  upon 
a  river  of  the  same  name,  on  the  western  side  of  the  Bay 
of  Fundy,  and  nearly  opposite  to  Digby,  in  Nova  Sco- 
tia.    The  place  was  first  settled  by  royalist  emigrants 
from  the  United   States,  after  the  evacuation  of  New- 
York.     The  town  contains  about  500  houses  and  3000 
inhabitants,  an  E|)iscopal  church,  and  a  spacious  Meth- 
odist chapel,  on  the  foundation  stone  of  which  1  had  the 
pleasure  to  preach  to  perhaps  a  thousand  people.     There 
is  also  a  court-house,  an  academy,  and  barracks.     Here 
the  tide  rises  nearly  forty  feet ;  the  river  is  wide,  and  is 
a  noble  place  for  fish ;  salmon,  shad,  herring,  and  stur- 
geon abound,  and  furnish  employment  and  wealth  to  se- 
veral hundreds  of  the  inhabitants.     The  trade  of  St. 
John  is   chiefly  to  England  and  the  West-Indies;  in 
time  of  peace,  they  have  a  good  trade  with  the  United 
States,  to  which  they   carry  plaster  of  paris  and  grind- 
stones—but this  is  ruined  with  smuggling  and  contra- 
band goods.     Two  miles  from  this  city   are  the  falls  Of 
the  river,  which  at  low  water  are  grand,  and  yet  terrific. 
A  body  of  water,  a  mile  wide,  and  from  fifteen  to  twen- 
ty feet  deep,  rushes  through  a   bed  of  rocks  with  such 
terrible  impetuosity,  aa  lio  language  can   i:ossib!y  de- 
scribe.    The  descent  is  about  twenty  feet,  but  the  fonm 
and  froth  cover  the  whole  harbour,  and  the  noise  is 
beard  several  miles ;  and  yet  when  the  tide  below  rises 
to  th^i  level  of  the  waters  above,  vessels  go  through  for  a 


ftw  minute 

for  one  bur 

nothing  ap| 

barren,    ar 

Islands  th< 

travels  thr( 

streams,  ar 

are  irreguhi 

rocks;  salt 

blessings  ol 

the  river  in 

I  have  had 

end  of  M( 

has  been  v 

action  of  tl 

a  plunge  ii 

this  kind  I 

ciety,  but  i 

the  form  a: 

frequently 

Lord's  ih] 

thus  profai 

It  was  no 

provided  \ 

nued,  till  r 

ed  in  and 

ten  reprov 

destroyed, 

fle  with  Jc 

majesty. 

prosj)ered 

The  cit 

ing  Methc 

Episcopal 

change  th 

rrr>f>  of  hi! 

more  fierc 


JbstiUA  MARSDEN. 


158 


I 


i^w  minutes,  so  that  the  river  is  nevertheless  navigable 
for  one  hundrtd  miles  above  the  falls.     Round  the  city 
nothing  appears  to  attract  the  eye;  the  prospect  is  rocky, 
barren,    and    mountainous.      Probably  the   Fl^ulkland 
Islands  themselves  are   not  more  dismal.    WhoBoever 
travels  through  the  world  to  see  beautiful  vistas,  purling 
streams,  and  Elysian  groves,  must  not  come  here.    Here 
are  irregular  clumps  of  stunted  pine  growing  among  the 
rocks;  salt  marshes,  and  muddy  creeks;  and  yet  all  th« 
blessings  of  animal  life  are  brought  in  abundance  down 
the  river  in  "ummer  by  boats,  and  in  the  winter  by  sleds. 
I  have  had  to  come  down  the  river  in  these  in  the  latter 
end  of  March  and  beginning  of  April,  when  the  ice 
has  been  worn  so  thin  by  the  current  beneath,  and  the 
action  of  the  sun  above,  that  we  feared  every  moment 
a  plunge  into  the  abyss  below.     A  terrible  accident  of 
this  kind  befell  one  who  had  been  a  member  of  the  so- 
ciety, but  gradually  fell  away  till  he  lost  all  his  religion, 
the  form  as  well  as  power.    Being  a  tailor  by  trade,  he 
frequently  finished  and  sent   home   his  clothes  on  the 
Lord's  tl^y,  and  when  reminded  of  the  wickedness  of 
thus  profaning   the  sabbath,  he  would  jocosely  answer, 
It  was  no  great  harm  to  borrow  a  little  from  the  Lord, 
provided  we  paid  him  again.     This  practice  was  conti- 
nued, till  riding  one  sabbath.on  the  ice,  the  whole  plung- 
ed in  and  were  seen  no  more.     Thus,  he  that  being  of- 
ten reproved  and  hardeneth  his  neck,  shall  suddenly  be 
destroyed,  and  that  without  remedy.     It  is  awful  to  tri- 
fle with  Jehovah;  he  is  terrible  in  wraOi,  and  fearful  in 
majesty.    Who  ever  hardened  himself  against  God  and 

pros[)ered  ? 

The  city  St.  John  contains  a  few  Baptists,  a  flourish- 
ing Methodist  society,  and  a  great  number  of  Scotch 
Episcopalians.  These  disciples  of  Knox,  when  they 
change  their  creed,  seem  to  acquire  a  superadded  de- 
rrfip  of  bigotry  and  ill- nature  by  the  change,  and  are 
more  fierce  against  dissenters  afterwards,  than  they  were 


m 


154 


MEMOIRS  OF 


.| 


against  both  Pope  and  Prelate  before.  Hence,  there  are  few 
places  where  Methodism  has  had  to  contend  with  more  se- 
rious difficulties  and  systematic  bigotry  than  in  St.  John. 
Alas !  that  wicked  lives  and  narrow  minds  should  be  so 
often  united  together  I  But  so  it  is.     1  hardly  ever  met  a 
wicked  man  of  this   description,   but  who  thought  he 
would  atone  for  his  sin  by  greater  fierceness  in  support- 
ing his  creed.      Alas!  that  creed-mdiers  should   have 
spent  their  time  to  so  little  purpose  as  to  make  men  fierce, 
cruel,  bigoted,   and  disputatious  I      Perhaps  there    has 
been  more    written  to  illustrate,   enforce,  and    defend 
human  creeds,  than  to  support  and  inculcate  the  word 
of  God.     1  place  human  creeds  in  general  upon  a  par 
with  the  traditions  of  the  elders,  the  Talmud  of  the  Jews, 
and  the  Canons  and  Bulls  of  the  Pope  of  Rome.    What 
can   be  more  complicated  than  creeds  generally  are  ? 
What  is  more  simple  than  the  word  of  God  ? 

The  doctrines  of  the  gospel  are  plain ;  creeds  are  am- 
biguous.    The  words  of  the  new  covenant  are  simple  ; 
creeds  are  complex.     The  scripture  is   the    word  of 
God;  creeds  are  the  works  of  men.    Human  creeds  are 
vtwultiplied  without  end ;  the  word  of  God  is  one  clear, 
eternal,  and  invariable  rule.     Commend  me  not,  there- 
fore,  either  to  the  Heidelburg  or  the  Assembly's  catechism, 
the  articles,  homilies,  and  canons  of  the  church  of  Eng- 
land, the  church  of  Rome,  nor  any  other  church;  but 
commend  me  to  the  word  of  God.     It  is  evident  from 
scripture  and  experience,  that  I  am  a  fallen  creature. 
I  am  there  told  that  Jesus  Christ  gave  his  life  a  ransom 
for  all.     I  am  required  to  repent  of  my  sins,  and  believe 
in  this   adorable    Redeemer.     I  am  told  that  he  will 
give  me  his  Holy  Spirit  if  I  ask  him,  to  work  in  my  heart 
the  grace  of  repentance,  faith,  and  regeneration.     lam 
told  that  a  holy  life  will,  through  the  infinite  merits  of 
Christ,  entitle  me  to  salvation  and  glory.    I  am  told  in 
scripture,  that  holiness  consists  in  loving  Gwl  and  my 
neighbour ;  in  being  humble,  chaste,  temperate,  true, 


honest,  de 

means  of 

soul,  are  ft 

himself  b} 

observed  1 

imputed  ob 

cigyity,  dt 

a  catalog! 

whatever 

creeds;  tl 

of  God. 

divine  co 

should  C( 

limited  ni 

God's  det 

am  told  t 

of  the  SCI 

me,  so  as 

a1  obedie 

on  whom 

If  grace i 

blamed  f( 

I  am  no 

trines,  oi 

man  cre< 

"  I  also  1 

of  the  Cf 

latchet  I 

because 

John  Ca 

sembly's 

Let  me  ! 

the  won 

As  a 

ver  St. , 

ble  rivei 

the  worl 

ing   tov 


i-.\fe 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


155 


are  i 


f 


lionest)  devout,  and  benevolent.     I  am  there  told  that  the 
means  of  intercourse   betwixt  Christ   and   a   gracious 
soul,  are  faith  and  prayer ;  and  that  God  communicates 
himself  by  his  Spirit,  word,  and  ordinanceo.     It  will  be 
observed  here,  that  I  n)entlon  nothing  about  secret  decrees^ 
imputed  obedience^  effectual  calls,  rcprohationy  divine  sover- 
eignty, destroying  human  agency,  irresistible  grace,  and 
a  catalogue  of  other   terms   that  have   no   foundation 
whatever  in   scripture ;    they   are  the  manufacture  of 
creeds;  the  former  only  is  the  pure,  unadulterated  word 
of  God.    Where  am  1  told  that  God  and  his  Son,  at  a 
divine  council  held  in  heaven,  agreed  that  Jesus  Christ 
should  come  into  the  world,  and  shed  his  blood  for  a 
limited  number  of  the  human  race,  called  the  Elect  ?     If 
God's  decrees  are  secret,  who  revealed  them  to  man  ?     I 
am  told  that  Jesus  Christ  died  for  me  :  but  in  what  part 
of  the  scripture  am   I   told  that  Jesus  Christ  obeyed  for 
me,  80  as  to  dissolve  the  obligation  of  my  actual  person* 
al  obedience  ?     If  God  willeth  not  the  death  of  a  sinner, 
on  whom  am  I  to   fix  the  black  mark  of  reprobation  ? 
If  grace  is  irrespective  and  irresistible,  how  can  I  either  be 
blamed  for  not  having  it,  or  commended  for  the  blessing  ? 
I  am  no  enemy  to  any  man  that  holds  the  above  doc- 
trines, or  thinks  it  his  duty  to  quote  or  preach  from  hu- 
man creeds;  I  have  only  taken  the  liberty  of  Elihu— »^ 
«  I  also  will  show  mine  opinion."     There  are  thousands 
of  the  Calvinists  holy,  useful,  eminent  men,  whose  shoe- 
latchet  I  am  not  worthy  to  unloose.     But  does  it  follow, 
because  there  are  holy  Calvinists,  that  the  Institutes  of 
John  Calvin,  the  opinions  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  the  As- 
sembly's or  Heidelburg  Catechisms  are  true  ?  I  trow  not. 
Let  me  be  a  bible  christian  I     Let  me  H-  a  follower  of 
the  won^  Vi  God  !     A  man  of  one  boo' 

As  a  j  ^rt  of  my  circuit  lay  upon  tht  .iks  of  the  ri- 
ver St.  John,  I  would  here  say  a  word  or  two  on  that  no- 
ble river.  St.  John  is  among  the  second  class  of  rivers  in 
the  world,  it  is  more  than  four  hunureu  miles  ioiig,  extend" 
ing  towards  Lower  Canada;  two  hundred  and  fifty 


156 


7MEMOIRS  Of 


miles  above  Frederickton  are  the  Grand  Falls,  a  cata- 
ractof  ninety  feet  perpendicular;  for  nearly  one  hun- 
dred  miles  the  river  is  a  mile  wide ;  on  its  banks  are  both 
fine  tracks  of  upland  and  intervale ;  it  receives  the  tri- 
bute of  a  number  of  smaller  rivers  and  nobk  lakes.  The 
grand  lake,  on  whose  banks  I  have  had  many  a  precious 
season,  is  nearly   forty  miles  long.     The  woods  along 
the  river  are  full  of  pine,  some  of  which  are  the  largest 
in   the   world;    also,    maple,   spruce,    hemlock,    birch, 
beach,  ash,  and  white  oak— from  the  maple-sap  the  set- 
tlers and  Indians  make  abundance  of  good  sugar.     This 
province  is  much  split  and  inte-sected  with  rivers,  some 
of  the  largest  of  which  are  the  St.  John,  St.  Croix,  (the 
boundary  line  betwixt  the  United  States  and  this  part  of 
British  America,)  the  Kanabekesis,  the  Pedicodiac,  and 
a  number  of  others.     The  inhabitants  are  thinly  settled 
—there  are  no  roads  good  for  any  thing— the  winters 
are  dreadfully  severe,  and  the  spring  late  and  unplea- 
sant, and  sometimes  the  frost  seta  in  so  early  as  to  injure 
the  crops.     Yet  even   here   the   light  of  piety  shines. 
These  wastes  have  heard  a  voice.     These  woods  havr 
been  vocal  with  the  Redeemer's  praise.     These  solitary 
recesses  of  nature  have  been  visited  with  the  glad  ti- 
dings of  salvation. 

^  Through  vast  America's  contiauous  woods, 

O'er  mountains,  lakes,  and  pine-form'd  Bolitudes, 
Where  miq;hty  rivers  unregarded  flow, 
And  lofty  elms  and  quivering  maples  grow ; 
Where  fine  savannas,  beautiful  and  green, 
Luxurious  rise  amidst  the  sylvan  scene; 
Where  high  the  Alleghany  IVfountains  frowu. 
And  wide  Missouri  rolls  his  waters  brown ; 
Where  from  his  lakes  the  sire  of  rivers  pours,* 
Or  down  his  steeps  the  Niagara  roars*, 
The  light  of  piety  serenely  glows, 
And  makes  the  forest  blossom  as  the  rose. 


*  Tke  rirev  Mississippi,  ao  called  by  the  In4iand- 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


157 


Full  many  a  cottage  iu  the  deep  recci^s, 
Mail  with  delight  the  niesaeuffers  of  peace. 
For  oft  beneath  the  gay  aspiring  trees, 
Whose  rustling  leaves  are  music  to  the  breeze, 
TTie  goppeVs  soft  and  joyous  strains  are  heard ; 
The  weak  are  'stablish'd,  and  the  drooping  cheered. 
The  savage  Indian  hears  the  joyful  talk, 
And  buries  deep  the  murderous  tomahawk. 
Savage  no  more ;  the  renovating  plan 
Moulds  into  love  th'  uncultivated  man. 

Along  the  rivers,  on  the  banks  of  the  lakes,  and  im- 
mured in  the  woods,  are  many  who  love  the  sound  of 
the  gospel,  and  delight  in  the  ways  of  God;  their  rural  life 
hinders  them  from  seeing  many  of  the  vauitii  ^  of  the 
world;  and  the  simple  occupations  of  husbandry  fill  up 
and  occupy  their  time. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  I  went  to  Nova  Scotia,  and 
exchanged  with  brother  James  Mann  for  a  few  months, 
during  which  time  I  laboured  upon  the  Annapolis  cir- 
cuit with  some  pleasure,  and  I  hope  the  day  of  judgment 
vr'iW  manifest,  with  some  fruit. 

Prior  to  ray  coming  to  Annapolis,  Colonel  Bayard, 
who  had  retired  upon  half-pay,  and  lived  on  his  estate 
at  Wilmot,  had  experienced  the  power  of  religion.  He 
bad  been  a  man  of  pleasure,  gallantry,  and  dissipation; 
and  as  is  usually  the  case  with  such  an  infidel  in  religion,  m 
(having  many  Baptists  and  Methodists  in  his  neighbour- 
hood,) he  sometimes  fell  into  conversation  with  them ;  at 
length  at  the  request  of  Lawyer  A.  he  was  induced  to  read 
Mr.  Wesley's  sermons.  Light  darted  in  upon  his  benight- 
ed mind;  bis  conscience  was  deeply  awakened ;  he  became 
a  true  penitent,  manifesting,  in  a  very  particular  man- 
ner, his  compliance  with  Bishop  Latimer's  adage  ;  Res- 
titution or  no  remission.  Though  he  moved  in  the 
higher  circles  of  life,  he  was  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ.  After  some  deep  and  genuine  exercises  of 
mind,  the  consolations  of  hone  visited  his  soul — a  deep 
and  universal  change  was  apparent  in  all  his  conduct — 

O 


;  ;  fe  feiciialf 


168 


MEMOIRS  or 


the  man  of  gallantry  and  pleastire  was  seen  a  weeiutig 
penitent  at  the  feet  of  mercy— the  proiul,  «Uirin?,  Innh- 
mind'Ml  officor  was  transformed  into  a  little  cluUl— the 
trophies  of  infidelity  were  laid  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  : 
never  (Hd  religion  seem  to  gain  a  greater  triumph.     O 
grace,  how  great  and  glorious  are  thy  victories!  It  i^» 
thine  to  bring  water  out  of  the  rock  !  It  is  thine  to  hum- 
We  the  loftiness  of  man!  If  the  desert  become  a  garden, 
or  the  lion  a  lamb,  it  is  by  thy  power!  Thou  canst  raise 
the  serpent  to  a  seraph,  and  the  worm  to  an  angel  !  Is 
the  mountain  levelled,  and  the  abject  valley  exalted  / 
it  is  thy  plastic  power  that  has  performed  the  stupendous 
work!    By  thee  the  benighted  mind  of  man  is  enlight- 
ened!   If  peace  visit  the  distracted  and  awakened  sin- 
ner's conscience,  thou  pullest  the  cup  of  consolation  to 
his  lips !     Precious  truth !     "  By  grace  ye    are  saved, 
through  faith,  and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it  is  the  gilt  ol 
God;  not  of  works,  lest  any  man  should  boast.      1   is 
all  of  grace!     Grace  in  the  foundation!  Grace  in  the 
superstructure!  Grace  in  the   top-stone!     This   is  the 
song  of  redeemed  inlants!  It  is  the  song  of  young  men 
in  Israel !  it  is  the  song  of  fathers  in  Christ !  Join  in  it, 
O  my  soul ;  sing  the  blessings  of  grace  1  Sing  the  won- 
ders of  grace !  s,ing  the  triumphs  of  grace!  Sing,  O  sing  to 
.  all  eternity,  the  fountain  of  grace!  The  author  of  grace 
*  the  Saviour  I  Hallelujah  1  for  the  Lord  God  omipotenl 

reigneth  1  .     ,       .    ,  . 

Having  received  the  Lord  into  his  heart,  he  now 
wished  to  receive  the  servants  of  God  into  his  house; 
and  accordingly  the  preachers,  at  his  repeated  request 
made  his  house  one  of  the  stated  preaching  station.^  of 
the  circuit.  His  gay  and  high-life  friends  became  deeply 
offended  at  what  they  calle,!  his  meanness  ot  spirit.  I  he 
Bishop  of  Nova  Scotia  told  him  he  could  not  come  lo  ^ec 
him  as  usual,  because  he  kept  low  comiiany.  'I'he  Go- 
vernor rode  nast  his  house  without  calling;  and  my  La- 
^y  Governess  chose  to  be  very  witty  at  the  idea  mai 


the  Color 
offended 
inslrumei 
mind,  sa 
Atheism 
would  r 
this  man 
swearing 
him  by  tl 
was  not 
become 
tainted  v 
was  no  I 
forbid  til 
charade 

I  V 

\Vt 
Coi 
Th 
To 
Wl 

But  n 
cept  wl 
high  chi 
rowness 
relation: 
military 
such  a  1( 
The  wii 
good  of 
a  magis 
and  sal 
with  th 
rich,  no 
an  hano 
bui  wea 


JOSHUA  :>iar«di:n. 


159 


the  Colonel  hnd  lost  his  senses.  A  certain  Clergyman, 
offeiuUd  that  God  had  mode  the  Mtthodisls  the  humble 
inslniments  of  conveving  hia  trulh  to  this  great  man'a 
mind,  said,  His  religion  was  only  the  hidC  .,  vhouse  to 
Atheism  ;  while  others,  more  charitabh  ,  propin  Vied,  ho 
would  run  raving  mad.  Kind  reader,  i 'nerw  while 
this  man  was  wicked,  an  inlitltl,  a  man  <-t  iW^^sure,  a 
swearing,  profane,  dashing  officer,  no  fault  ..as  found  with 
him  hy  these  reverend  gentlemen;  the  worthy  Episcopua 
was  not  then  ahove  his  company.  But,  alas  I  he  had 
become  moral,  religious,  and  regular,  and  withal,  was 
tainted  with  llie  deadly  leuven  of  Methodism,  so  that  he 
was  no  longer  fit  company  for  pious  clergymen.  God 
forhid  that  a  line  of  mine  should  ever  underrate  the 
character  of  a  godly  minister. 

I  venerate  the  man  whose  heart  is  warm ; 

Whose  hands  are  purej  whose  docti-iue,  aud  whose  life 

C'oincideut,  exhibit  lucid  proof  ^ 

That  he  is  honest  in  the  sacred  cause. 

To  such  I  render  more  than  mere  respect : 

Whose  actions  say  that  they  respect  themselves.    Cowper. 

But  when  a  minister  is  an  enemy  to  all  religion,  ex- 
cept what  flows  through  the  medium  of  canonical  or 
hijih  church  episcopacy,  I  say,  from  such  bigotry,  nar- 
rowness, and  pride,  good  Lord  deliver  us  !  {Some  of  hia 
relations  begged  of  him  for  God's  sake  to  think  upon  his 
military  honours,  and  not  tarnish  his  great  family  with 
such  a  low,  drivelling  thing  as  religion,  alias  Methodism. 
The  witty  said  he  kept  three  chaplains  to  pray  for  the 
good  of  his  soul ;  and  the  wicked  hated  him,  because,  as 
a  magistrate,  he  put  the  laws  in  force  again&t  swearing 
and  sabbath  breaking.  So  fares  it,  O  blessed  Jesus, 
with  thy  pure  religion !  Not  many  mighty,  not  many 
rich,  not  many  noble,  are  called.  A  great  man  thinks  it. 
an  honour  to  serve  his  king,  his  country,  or  his  friend; 
but  weakness  to  serve  God  ;  miserabU  injatuaiion !  wheu 


'^  .'. 


169 


MEMOIRS  OF 


that  which  is  our  glory  becomes  our  shame;  and  that 
which  should  be  our  highest  honour  is  lowest  in  our  es- 
timation.  But  yet  there  are  some  lofty  in  station  pos- 
sessed  oflowly  minds;  some  raised  to  opulence  and 
grandeur  who  are  nevertheless  poor  in  spirit. 
*  In  the  fall,  as  my  dear  partner  was  very  unwell,  I  re- 
turned to  St.  John  rather  sooner  than  the  appointed 
time,  and  found  both  her  and  the  little  infant  in  afflict- 
cd  and  delicate  situations,  from  which  they  but  slowly 

recovered.  ..  ,  i  r 

Here  I  would  not  omit  to  mention  a  providential  deli- 
verance; coming  through  Annapolis  Gut,  a  rough  and 
dangerous  place,  the  vessel  suddenly  jibed;  and  as  I  was 
standing  upon  the  quarter-deck,  the  boom  knoc'ied  me 
overboard.  The  vessel  was  going  about  eight  knots  an 
hour.  I  had  the  presence  of  mind  to  catch  hold  of  a  rope, 
and  by  this  means  was  saved.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul, 
aod  all  that  is  within  me  bless  and  magnify  his  holy  name ! 
In  the  spring  I  recrossed  the  Bay  of  Fundy  with  my 
wife  and  little  one,  and  attended  our  little  conference  at 
Horton,  from  whence  I  went  to  Halifax  to  visit  my 
wife's  pprents,  and  change  with  brother  Black,  who 
took  my  appointment  in  St.  John 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  following  short  letter,  written  to  Doctor  Coke, 
will  give  some  infn-mation  of  the  situation  of  my  views 
and  mission  at  this  period : 

Exlrad  of  a  Idler  from  Mr.  Joshua  Marsikn,  to  the  Rev. 

Dr.  Coke. 

BaHfax,  June  20,  1806. 
Pnrinff  the  !a?t  winter  God  hath  blessed  me  much  in 
my  soul  and  labours.    Twelve  or  thirteen  were  added  to 


our  little 

found  th< 

spring,    J 

Blessed  t 

my  migh 

the  Lord' 

ring  a  co 

was  one 

power  of 

manner, 

fore  the  I 

few  were 

neral  qui 

Halifax, 

three  mo 

here.     0 

there  hai 

are  once 

will  be  a 

Dear  I 

the  very 

fu! ;  yet 

The  Lor 

thy  worr 

I  must  t< 

perience 

a  manne 

I  did  nc 

pear  at  t 

finally  s 

compen? 

ness.     I 

etl  manj 

worthy  ' 

quiver  fi 

or   tliat 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


161 


our  little  society  in  the  city  St.  John.  Some  of  these 
found  the  pearl  ol  great  price  during  the  winter  and 
spring,  and  others  are  earnestly  seeking  salvation. 
Blessed  be  God,  I  have  been  enabled  to  labour  with  all 
my  might,  and  have  found  my  heart  sweetly  engaged  in 
the  Lord's  work.  Many  precious  seasons  have  1  had  du- 
ring a  cold  and  tedious  vnnter.  Our  covenant  meeting 
was  one  of  the  best  I  ever  witnessed  in  all  my  life.  The 
power  of  the  Lord  was  present  in  a  very  remarkable 
manner,  and  many  hearts  became  like  melting  wax  be- 
fore the  tire.  At  brother  M'Coll's  place,  (i^^chodock)  a 
few  were  awakened  and  converted,  and  there  was  a  ge- 
neral quickening  among  the  old  professors.  I  am  now  at 
Halifax,  supplying  the  place  of  brother  Black  for  two  or 
three  months.  Religion  does  not  seem  to  flourish  much 
here.  Of  late,  however,  there  is  a  belter  prospect  than 
there  had  been  fur  some  time,  as  the  few  that  had  separated 
are  once  more  united  to  us,  aiwl  I  believe  their  reunion 
will  be  attended  with  the  happiest  erfect?. 

Dear  Sir,  although  labouring  in  this  country,  during 
the  very  severe  and  tedious  winters,  is  trying  and  pain- 
ful ;  yet  1  have  never  repented  engaging  in  the  mission. 
The  Lord  hath  been  exceedingly  good  to  me,  an  unwor- 
thy worm,  in  proporUoning my  strength  to  my  day;  and 
I  must  testify  to  the  honour  of  his  goodness,  I  have  ex- 
perienced the  fulfilment  of  his  promises  in  so  remarkable 
a  manner,  that  I  should  be  the  most  ungrateful  of  men  if 
I  did  not  love,  praise,  and  gVorify  him.  If  it  shall  ap- 
pear at  the  day  of  judgn-.ent,  that  but  one  soul  has  been 
finally  saved  Ihrongh  my  preaching,  it  will  be  a  rich 
compensation  for  all  my  toils  in  this  cold,  barren  wilder- 
ness.  But,  blessed  be  God,  I  know  that  he  hath  pluck- 
ei\  many  brands  out  of  the  burning  by  means  of  my  un- 
worthy  labours.  I  cannot,  indeed,  say  that  I  have  my 
quiver  full  of  them;  my  unfaithfulness  has  deprived  me 
of   tliat  honour,  as  well  as  of  many  other  blessingt^ 

r\  n 


%      '?] 


11,'  a 


m 


162 


MEMOIRS  OF 


O  that  I  may  be  more  zealous  and  diligent  for  the  time 
*^*'''"^'  JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 

After  spending  a  profitable  summer  at  Halifax,  I  re- 
turned  in  the  fall  by  the  way  of  Annapolis,  sfopping-  m 
our  way  to  see  our  worthy  friend,  Colonel  Bayard,  with 
whom  we  tarried  about  a  week,  and  still  found  him  full  of 
faith,  zeal,  christian  simplicity,  and  loving  meekness. 
Crossing   from    Annapolis  to  New-Brunswick  iH  the 
Digby  packet,  we  met  a  violent   squall,  which  blew 
the  vessel  upon  her  beam-ends,  and  brought  her  main- 
sail down  inli  the  water.     The  sea  poured  down  the 
cabin-door  like  a  torrent;  the  women  in  the  cabin  were 
greatly  lerrified;  rav  mind  was  kept  in  peace;  and  m  a 
little  while,  the  squall  being  over,  she  righted,  and  we 
arrived  safely  among  our  old  friends,  and  to  our  old  ha- 
bitation  in  St.  John.     For  some  time  my  mind  had  been 
deeply  pained  at  the  little  growth  of  the  society  in  the 
city— but  this  fall,  at  a  day  set  apart  for  fasting  and  pray- 
er, the  Lord  gave  us  a  token  for  good ;  and  in  the  lollow- 
ing  winter  made  bare   his  holy  arm  in  a  most  singu- 
lar and  blessed  manner.  .      •* 
I  had  gone,  as  usual,  to  visit  that  part  of  my  circuit 
that  lay  up  the  river    St.  John,  leaving  the  sociely  m 
charge  of  the  leaders,  and  brother  M'Leod,  a  very  worthy 
local  preacher.      They   appointed  a   watch- mgh,    at 
which  some  special  tokens  of  the  divine  power  and  pre- 
gence  were  manifested.     In  a  little  while  severa  children 
were  affected  with  a  lively  concern  for  the  salvation  of 
their  souls.    A  few  young  people,  of  both  sexes,  got  un- 
der awakenings.     At  this  time  I  arrived  from  the  river, 
and  found  the  town  almost  in  an  uproar;  some  wonder- 
ing  whereunto  this  would  grow  ;  some  condemning  the 
whole  as  enthusiasm  and  delusion ;  and  others  requesting 
that  I  would  put  a  stop  to  the  dangerous  wiiuure  ui«w 
.atill  spread  io  every  direction. 


JOSHUA  MARSDIN. 


103 


There  were  irregularities,  it  is  true,  but  who  ever  saw 
a  genuine   revival  of  religion  without  them?     They 
may  come  under  the  following  heads :     1,  The  opposi- 
tion of  the  wicked  and  mere  moralists :     These  first  cre- 
ate disturbance,  and  then  lay  it  at  the  door  of  the  work  of 
God.     2,  The  untempered  zeal  of  some  warm  spirits,  that 
would  condemn  and  anathematize  all  who  do  not  immedi- 
ately see  through  their  eyes :     They  have  no   patience 
with  the  wicked,  and  fall  upon  them  with  as  little  mercy 
as  Sjuppson  showed  the  Philistines.     3,  The  subjects  of 
the  work  themselves :    some    praying,  others  shouting, 
some  weeping,  others  rejoicing,  a  number  praying  at 
one  time;  shouting,  praying,  singing,  weeping,  exhort- 
ing,  all   blended   together,  certainly  presents  a  strong 
resemblance  of  confusion.     But  the  point  is,  are  God's 
thoughts  upon  these  things  as  our  thoughts?    Upon  the 
whole,  I  believe  there  have  been  few  revivals  of  pure  re- 
ligion with  less  irregularity.     A  letter  1  wrote  at  the 
time  will  give  as  true  and  simple  a  copy  of  the  work  as 
I  could  draw ;    and  I   will  therefore  present  it  to  the 
reader. 


FROM  MR.  JOSHUA  MARSDEN  TO  MR.  BENSON. 

City  St.  John,  N en-Brunswick,  March  25,  1807. 

BEAR   SIR,  * 

1  am  happy  that  it  is  in  my  power  to  send  you  a 
pleasing  account  of  the  work  of  God  in  this  formerly 
barren  part  of  the  universe.  For  some  time  religion 
was  at  a  stand  in  this  and  the  neighbouring  [jrovince. 
It  is  true,  a  few  now  and  then  were  added  to  the  peo- 
ple of  God,  to  supply  the  places  of  those  who  emigrated 
to  other  parts;  but  no  particular  revival  of  true  piety 
had  taken  place  in  this  country  till  this  winter.  About 
a  month  ago,  the  Lord  began  to  pour  out  his  Holy  Spirit 
upon  us  in  a  remarkable  manner,  shaking  the  kingdom 
of  darkness  in  many  hearts,  so  that  alarm  and  iUstreas 
became  visible  m  the  faces  of  numbers,  and  a  cry  was 


I'M 


^■-      ^m 


164 


MEMOIItS  OF 


heard    What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved?    This  Messed  work 
is  .till  continued,  and  prevails  chiefly  a.non?  young  peo- 
pie  ol  both  sexes,  though  a  lew  more  advanced  in  years 
have   been   brought  into  deep  di.tre..,   and   now  enjoy 
glorious    gospel   liberty.      Some    stout  hearted    sinners 
have  been    awakened,  and  a  number  of  little  children, 
both  boys  and  girls,  have  been  evidently  changed   l>y 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     About  seventy  persons 
have  joined  the  society,  and  pe  rhaps  there  ore  not  i.wer 
than  thirty  more  under  slight  awakenmgs,  or  deej|  con- 
Tictions.     Curiosity,  or  similar  motives  bring  many  to 
tlie  meetings,  when  either  the  cries  ol  the  distressed,  or 
the  exhortations  of  such  as  have  lately  found  peace  with 
God,  touch  their  hearts;  and  frequently,  from  gazing  and 
mocking,  they  are  brought  to  solemnity  and  griel.    bome 
who  have  come  with  the  professed  design  ol  ridiculing 
this  work  of  God,  have  been  struck  down,  and  constrain- 
ed lo  cry  for  mercy  and  salvation  in  the   most  heart- 
piercing  manner.     A  few  have  been  set  at  liberty  un- 
der  the  word,  yet  the  work  has  been  chh  fly  carried  on 
in  prayer-meetings,  to  which  numbers  resort,  and  will  not 
eo  away  till  a  very  late  hour.     Early  this  mormng,  two 
young  men  came  to  my  house,  and  no  sooner   had   I 
opened  the  door  than  they  b  th  fell  upon  their  knees, 
begging  earnestly  that  I  woi.!d  pray  for  them;   I  com- 
mended  their  case  to  the  Lord  in  prayer,  and  then  ex- 
horted  and  encouraged  them  to  look  to  Jesus  or  a  pre- 
sen  salvation.     Onl  was  much  comforted,  but  the  other 
went  away  in  deep  distress.     Not  a  day  passes   but 
hear  of  three  or  four  that  are  struck  to  the  heart ;  and 
scarcely  is  there  a  meeting  but  some  join  the  society. 
Indeed;   it  appears   to  me,  that  if  the  work  continue, 
all  the  young  p^'ople  in  the  place  will  turn  to  Gml. 

In  this  situation  of  things,  you  may  naturally  suppose^ 
that  the  enemy  of  souls  is  not  idle,  but  endeavours   to 

.  .  ,    P  ii: i.:..n,/inr»      Rut.  fflorv  be  to  Gou,  an 

•  •  Uatagems  have  hitherto  faile.^.    Much  opposition  has 

■      Daiumny  and  blasphemy* 


«Ln( 
e 


scripture  a 

been  empit 

thing  can 

They  stan 

has  been  n 

aside  from 

pal  inhabi 

in  the  plai 

who  are  su 

their 

they 

go    tliroug 

hearing  th( 

sembliug  1 

pleasing  ci 

have  very 

tion,  whicl 

useful  at  I 

with  what 

age,  pour  ( 

cy  of  their 

and  the  sol 

press  the  i 

work.     S( 

ers  of  chil 

that  we  p 

how  to  ej 

Ourlitt 

tee  any  tl 

solemn  b< 

time.     Of 

begins,  wl 

of  the  voi 

rejoicing, 

On  these 

Lord  is  gi 


been  mafle  to  this  work. 


J0SHUA  MARSDEN. 


165 


scripture  anil   ridicule,  promises  and  menaces,  have  all 
been  employed  ;  but,  thank  God,  without  success.     No- 
thing can  equal    the   firmness  of  the  young  converts. 
They  stand  unshaken,  though  almost  every  engine  of  hell 
has  been  made  use  of  to  cause  them  to  stagger  and  turn 
aside  from  the  good  way.     The  magistrates  and  princi- 
pal inhabitants  cannot  deny  but  there  is  a  great  change 
in  the  place  for  the  better;  as  many  of  the  young  men 
who  are  subjects  of  this  work,  were  once  both  loose  in 
their  B|inciples,  and  irregular  in  their  practices.     But 
they  He   now    new  creatures,    and  one   can    hardly 
go    through    a     street    of    this     little    city,    without 
hearing  the  voice  of  praise,  or  seeing  the  young  men  as- 
sembling together  for  prayer.    What  appears  to   me  a 
pleasing  circumstance  is,  that  several  of  the  young  men 
liave  very  promising  gifts  both  for  prayer  and  exhorta- 
tion, which  if  piously  improved,  may  render  them  truly 
useful  at  a  future  time.     It  would  astonish  you  to  heat 
with  what  propriety  youths  of  fifteen  or  sixteen  years  of 
age,  pour  out  their  souls  to  God  in  prayer.    The  ferven- 
cy of  their  spirits,  the  evangelicalness  of  their  language, 
and  the  solemnity  of  their  manner,  tend  not  a  little  to  im- 
press the  minds  of  such  as  hear  them,  and  promote  the 
work.     Some  have  been  awakened  by  hearing  the  pray- 
ers of  children,  while  others  have  been  ready  to  say, 
that  we  put  words  into  their  mouths,  and  teach  them 
how  to  express  themselves  in  their  prayers. 

Our  little  chapel  is  so  crowded,  that  you  can  scarcely 
lee  any  thing  but  human  heads ;  and  the  meetings  are 
solemn  beyond  any  thing  seen  in  this  place  for  a  long 
time.  Often,  towards  the  conclusion,  a  cry  for  mercy 
begins,  which  spreads  from  one  to  another,  till  the  union 
of  the  voices  of  those  who  are  either  praying,  crying,  os 
rejoicing,  forms  what  worldly  people  call  confusion. 
On  these  occasions  some  are  brought  to  taste  that  the 
Lnrd  is  gracious,  and  others,  alarmed  with   conviction* 


m 


166 


MEMOIRS  OF 


who  perhaps m  a  few  Hays,  can  also  praise  a  sinpanlon- 
ino-  God.     Most  that  I  have  closel:    exam^aed,   give  a 
pretty  ciear  account  of  being  cut  to  the  heart  for  sin ;  leel 
thankfulness  that  they  are  not  in  hell ;  see  tj  eir  iieed 
of  a  Sttvsiwr,  ami  are  convioceii  they  must  lead  fc  new 
life  or  be  lo^t.    Hf^  ^  -h  they  are  led  to  implore  for;!;iveno:^'^ 
throu'^h  the  Redeerifcr'e  jlood,  an!  grace  to  help   them 
on  their  way  to  heav.?n.     What  makes  this  appear  the 
more  singular  to  aoint  v;ol!-mjuled  people,  is  the  onVr 
and  biillness  which  wtre  observed  in  the  meetir|8  prior 
to  this  period.    Hence  some  who  once  thought  wfR  ol  a?, 
now  take  the  alarm  at  what  they  think  enthusia^sm.  A  revi- 
val of  religroi!  is  like  Ithurit  I's  spear  :  it  makes  persons  as- 
rame  their  pro^^er  shape  and  character,  and   shows   the 
c^mal  mind  in  its  native  and  undisguised  colours.     Our 
meetirjg?  are  become  the  common  topic  of  conversation. 
Some  wonder,  some  mock,  some  acknowledge  the  power 
of  God,  am\  several,  not  in  society,  defend  the  cause  to 
the  utmost  of  their  power.  But  as  yet  none  of  the  ruUrs  have 
believed  en  him.    The  good  that  is  done  is  chiefly  among 
the  poor  and  aiiddling  classes  of  people. 

Since  this  quickening  began,  there  has  been  a  conti- 

nual  cry  for  books  especially  hymn-books.     It  would  be 

a  work  of  mtiicy  indeed,  if  some   of  our  rich  friends  at 

home  would  semi  »is  two  or   three  hundred  pamphlets 

atul  little  hymn  books.     It  pains  me  to  the  heart  that  I 

have  not  books  to  distribute  among  the  young  converts, 

as  many  of  them  will  be  in  danger  from  seducing  spir;- 

and    that  doctrine  of  i1  vils,   Aniinomiainsm.     I  1    v3 

sometimes  feared  thai  tl,.-  -/ork  of  God  a.nong  thr  iV! Mh- 

odists  would  come  to  nothing  in  this  province,4)i.i  -^w  I 

am  abundantly  encouraged;  my  heart   dances  v*":;:.  I 

gee  the  young  converts  crowding  to  the  meetings,  or  w  ■  ft.. 

I  hear   them  declare  thoir  experience  in  the  fhing      ;' 

God,  in  a   manner  which  is  chiefly  clear,  simple,  and 

affecting. 


Thisiiti 

ants.     Th 

little  chap 

and  at  the 

fjRy  peo()f 

riien<ls  ha' 

if  the  Lor 

trust  we  8 

old  ruinoi 

I  Iwve 

consil^nt 

months,  ti 

sionary  li 

spend  mj 

but  my  he 

tremely  o 

manner,  f 

the  toils 

have  sehh 

have  beei 

have  had 

without ; 

than  reco 

a   missio 

cult  and 

sweeten  < 

a  rose. 

being  tO( 

other.     I 

and  conti 

more  yoi 

active  lii 

and  mor< 

ers  in  th 

go   to   I 

circuit,  c 


or;'*;r 


:v¥3 


.lOSFIUA  MARSDEN. 


167 


Thisiittle  (own  containa  about  two  thousand  inhabit- 
ants. Tliere  is  a  neat  English  church  in  it,  beaitlfs  our 
little  chapel,  which  is  old,  ruinous,  and  inconvepieni; 
and  at  the  most,  it  will  not  hold  above  tonr  hundred  and 
fifty  peo[)ie.  Because  of  the  war  and  other  things  our 
fiien<ls  have  hitherto  been  too  poor  to  l)uild  a  larger.  But 
if  the  LonI  continue  to  carry  on  his  work  among  us,  I 
inist  we  sbMll  see  a  comfortal.le  house  erected,  and  the 
old  ruinous  one  pulled  down. 

I  have  now  been  seven  years  in  this  country,  and  if 
consilient  with  my  duty,  would  wish,   in  about  twelve 
months,  to  return  home  r,  not  that  I  am  tired  of  a  mis- 
sionary life  :  no,  blessed  he  God,   1  am  determined    to 
spend  my   strength  and   my  all  in  the  cause  oC  Jesus ; 
but  my  health  has  suffx^reil,  and  does  suffer  daily.   The  ex- 
tremely cold   winters  affect  my  breast  in  a  very  painful 
manner,  and  render  me  someti nu  s  quite  unable  to  undergo 
the  toils  of  my  mission;  yei,  by  the  bUssing  of  God,  I 
have  seldom  flinched,  though  somttimes  the  consequences 
have  been  very  painful.     In  the  discharge  of  my  duty  I 
have  had  many  dlscouragenients,  both  from  \vithin  and 
without ;  but  what   1  have  seen  this  month  past,  more 
than  recompenses  me  for  all  my  difficulties.     The  life  of 
a   missionary   in  such  a  climate  as  this  is  both  diffi- 
cult  and   laborious.      But  the  presence  of  Jesus   can 
sweeten  every  toil,  and  make  the  Avilderness  blossom  as  . 
a  rose.     One  of  our  principal  difficulties  arises  from  our 
being  too   weak-handed,  too  far  se|)arated  from  each 
other.     Hence  our  labours,  for  want  of  being  seconded  \ 
and  continued,  have  sometimes  failed  of  success.     0  for 
more  young  men  of  steady  zeal,  unwearied  patience,  and 
active  lives  !     1  hen  we  might  expect  to  see  more  fruit, 
and  more  tlouriEhing  societies.     We  are  only  six  preach- 
ers in  this  immense  tract  of  wilderness,  and  if  Mr.  Black 
go   to   Bermuda,  our   nund)er   will   be  reduced.     This 
circuit,  of  which  (he  little  city  above-mentioned  is  the 


I 


m         ««eUu,    vi 


iUiiU»    iu\iiv    \uaii 


168 


MEMOIRS  OF 


Canada,  and  there  U  no  preacher  but  inysell  o  supply 
It.  I  .hould  esteem  a  line  from  you,  or  any  of  our  Lou- 
don friends,  a  great  favour.  In  the  mean  time,  may  the 
Lord  direct  you  in  the  great  work  of  saving  souls,  and 
make  your  life  holy  and  happy. 
%ll  dear  sir,  is  the   prayer  of  your  unworthy  son 

in  the  gospel,  JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 

This  revival  had  two  or  three  ch-racteristics  iiBt  thfit 
„,rbe  profitable  to  mention  :     1 ,  U  was  chiefly  among 
voL  people  and  children.    Nearly  eighty  of  the   for- 
mTLd  twenty  of  the  latter  were  made  the  subjects  o 
r4e    influence.     2,    God  made   the  children  grea 
*    ns  in  his  hand  of  the  work.     Out  of  the   mouth  o 
babes  and  sucklings  thou  shalt  perfect  pra.se.     Some  o 
these  would  exhort  for  two  hours  in  a  series,  with  such 
de    ness  and  power  as  astonished  the  "ystanders^  3 
There  were  none  of  the  rich  and  great  awakened.    That 
passage  was,  in  part,  verified-They  shall  all  know  the 
K  from  the  least  to  the  greatest.     Thus  the  work  ol- 
Un  begins  with  the  poor ;  and  the  rich.if  saved,  are  glad  to 
foUow  their  example.     By  this  God  stains  the  pride  o 
™„    and  shows  how  little  he  esteems  the   glitter  of 
wealth  and  the  pomp  of  grandeur.    4,  There  was  little 
Tting,  clappiigofhands,  or  wild-fire.    Go'V  g-«  "^ 
singular  liberty  in  delivering  a  series  of  sermons,  ex- 
planatory of  the  first  exercises  of  gracious  souls  especialbr 
^hen  under  awakenings,  labouring  to  be  justified  by  the 
law    and  particularly  when  coming  to  Christ  for  par- 
don and  reconciliation.     On  these  occasions  the  chapel 
v,a,  crowded ;  and  frequently  a  solemn  and  affecting 

tense  of  the  presence  of  God  rested  upon  the  assembly. 

There  were  indeed  mockers,  but  they  were  greatly  over- 
,      c  mi.-.  ™,i,.,or,l  nmfaneness  of  the  streets,  espe- 

<5ially  in  the  night,  was  greatly  checked,  and  an  air  ol 


morality 
The  pro 
hiul  takei 
any  lhin| 
pal  oppoB 
to  fly  the 
much  qui 
away,  an 
The  me 
mally  co 
some#rne 
benedicti 
oh  the  pt 
had  been 
I  lie  chan 
dence. 
(ul  steadj 

Durinii 
lections  t' 
lis,  and  n 
purpose, 
ney,  wor! 
formed  a 
four  or  fi 
meeting 
persuade 
ry,  \vhil( 
single  eyi 

Havin 
wick  nea 
both  in  r 
aula  to  tl 
rence,  ar 
having  b 
land  and 
Liverpo( 
Xlll  of  j  i 


JV>S11UA  IVIARSDl^N. 


160 


tuorality  was,  in  some  de^!;ree,  visible  through  the  town. 
The  proud  oppoaers  couhl  not  deny  but  a  great  change 
hud  taken  place  in  many  persons— but  they  ascribed  it  to 
any  thing  except  the  true  cause.  6,  One  of  the  princi- 
pal opposers  ol"  the  work  came  to  nothing,  and  was  obliged 
to  fly  the  town  in  disgrace.  7,  The  old  professors  were 
much  quickened  and  sdrred  up;  bickering*  were  done 
away,  and  love  and  h  irmony  more  abundantly  prevailed. 
The  meetings,  (though  in  the  depth  of  winter,  dis- 
mally cold,  the  'ground  two  feet  deep  in  snow,)^  were 
somellmes  continued  all  night;  and  1  have  repeated  the 
benediction  r,nce  or  twice  without  being  able  to  prevail 
oh  the  people  to  dismiss.  Several  subjects  of  the  work 
had  been  wild,  wicked,  and  profane  young  men ;  hence 
Hie  change  in  their  conduct  shone  ^vith  a  visible  evi- 
ilence.  In  tine,  most  of  those  awakened  continued  failh- 
lul  steady  members  during  my  continuance  in  the  city. 

During  the  ensuing  summer,  I  set  myself  to  make  col- 
lections for  a  new  chapel,  as  the  place  was  too  strait  for 
us,  and  made  a  tour  through  the  other  province  for  this 
purpose.  This  was  a  laborious  time.  I  collected  mo- 
ney, worked  at  the  building  with  my  own  hands,  and  per- 
Tormed  all  the  other  duties  of  my  mission;  preaching 
four  or  five  times  every  Week ;  holding  prayer-meetings, 
meeting  classes,  and  various  other  duties.  But  I  am 
persuaded,  that  a  minister's  work  will  never  be  a  drudge- 
ry, while  he  has  the  spirit  of  bis  office,  and  possesses  a 
single  eye  to  the  glory  of  God. 

Having  now  laboured  in  Nova  Scotia  and  New-Bruns- 
wick nearly  eight  years ;  travelled  many  thousand  miles, 
both  in  rain,  frost,  and  snow,  from  one  end  of  the  penin- 
aula  to  the  other;  from  Annapolis  to  the  gulf  of  St.  Law- 
rence, and  from  the  Bay  of  Fundy  to  Halifax.  After 
having  been  stationed  at  the  following  places ;  Camber- 
land  and  Westmoreland,  Halifax,  St.  John,  Annapolis, 
Liverpool,  I  requested  to  return  to  England ;  and  in  the 


mi 


170 


MEMOIRS  OF 


from  the  Rev.  Josepli  Renaon,  requestine;  mp  ♦'*  firo  nmi 
spend  a  little  while,  and  try  to  eatablibi*  amission  in  Ber- 
muda. 


New  Chapd,  City  Road,  London^  Oct.  6ift,  1807. 

MT    DEAR  BROTHER, 

I  was  much  obliged  by  your  letter  of  March  25th  last, 
especially  as  it  contained  so  pleasing  an  account  oi  tho 
work  of  God  in  the  city  St.  John.     T  ju(  ged  you#letteir 
80  important,  that  I  immediately  caused  it  to  be  insert- 
ed in  the  Magazine  for  July,  which  we  wc      then  print- 
ing.     Since  then  we  have  had  similar  accounts  of  an  ex- 
traordinary revival  at  Liverpool,  and  some  other  parts  ol 
Nova  Scotia.     These  m  published  also  in  our  Mag.   ine 
for  this  month,  (October,)  and  1  ^oubt  not,  will  be  high- 
ly pleasing  to  all  that  are  concerned  for  Ihe  progress  oi 
the  gospel.     NovaScoliis    'idN   vvBru^      ick  ha  ebeen 
60  long  comparatively  barren,  being    verrun  with  Anti- 
nomianism,  and  other  destructive  errors,  that  this  remark- 
able awakening  is  as  welcome  and  consciing  as  it  -a  un- 
expected, and  must  greatly  encourage  the  subscribers  to 
the  Missions,  as,  I  am  persuaded,  it  does  ihe  mii^aionaries 
themselves.     I   hope  great  prudeii       an      care  will  b*' 
used  in  watching  over  the  souls  Iba      la       been  gjiined 
as  well  as  every  proper  effort  to  exieud   the  work  stir 
further.     And,  1  trust,  if  the  missionaries  in  these  parts 
be  zealous,  active,  and  diligent,  at  the  same  time   that 
they  are  humble,  meek,  and  devoted  to  God,  the  Lord 
will  show  that  this  is  but  the  dawn  of  a  glorious  day  in 
that  remote  part  of  the  British  empire. 

S  can  easily  believe  you,  my  brother,  when  you  speak 
of  the  hardships  you  have  endured,  and  that  the  extreme 
cold  winters  have  affected  your  brea^  .  I  sm  sure  the 
life  of  a  missionary,  as  you  observe,      ust  be  very  diffi- 


but,  ihe  Loi 
giving  you 
and  will  rcc 
of  the  Just, 
sented  to  y( 
nitied  that  y 
muda ;  as  y 
pointed  you 
it  is  a  very  1 
and  that  yoi 
yard.  Ace 
there,  many 
hear* he  woi 
au^  prosi 
gla  I  of  a  ft 
Bermuda,  ai 
Lord  would 
his  work, 


At  the  Si> 
taiy  of  the 
the  same  i 


ss^lt  itiiU  uaugeioUi',  Jn  rucn  a  Ciiiilaic  as   i^uvS 


MY    VERY   I 

I  am  in  t 

■nr I 

7  Vii  sL'c  vy 


Wi| 


I 


JOSHtA  MARSDEN. 


171 


but,  the  Lord  has  already  amply  recompensed  you,  by 
giving  you  to  see  »uch  blessed  fruit  of  your  labours; 
and  will  recompense  you  much  more  at  the  resurreclion 
of  the  juat.  The  Conference  would  willingly  have  con- 
sented to  your  coming  home  next  year,  but  as  you  sig- 
nifi<'d  that  you  »vere  willing  to  spend  somr  rne  at  Ber- 
muda ;  as  you  will  see  by  the  Minutes  they  have  ap- 
pointed you  to  that  Islan'  ("or  the  pres'«nt,  believing  that 
it  is  a  very  likely  |  "  ice  lor  the  restoration  of  your  health, 
and  that  you  will  be  very  useful  there  in  the  Lord's  vine- 
yard. Acci»rding  to  sundry  letters  v.e  have  had  from 
there,  many  of  the  inhabitants  have  a  grea  desire  to 
hear  the  word,  nnd  th«  ^  a  great  opening  for  the  gospel, 
aui  prospect  of  duin:^  much  good.  I  shall  be  very 
gla  I  of  a  few  I?  from  you,  both  before  you  sail  for 
Bermuda,  and  ter  yo'  rriv  there.  Praying  that  the 
Lord  would  both  .upp^  ou,  aud  bless  your  labours  in 
his  work, 

I  remain, 

Your  very  aflectionate  B    ^her, 

JOSEPH  BENSON. 


At  the  spme  time,  I  received  a  letter  fron  ihe  Secre- 
tary of  the  Missions,  with  onother  from  Jr.  Coke,  to 
the  same  r  iirp«^'rt. 


(to    MR.    JOSHUA    MAR    DEN.) 

Liverpool,  August  Ith,    807. 

lY    VERY   DEAR    BROTHER, 

I  am  in  the  midst  .>i'  the  hurry  of  Conf    ence  busine^^. 

•«r«— I XI • I 1    ik/wt i__  ii-_x — —  ~..»<^t »4^,  >i 


#   # 


i^ 


I. 


[ 


172 


jdKMOiRs  or 


for  Bermuda.  Set  off  as  soon  as  you  po^sil-ly  can  am^ 
draw  on  me  from  iine  to  time  lor  what  yo»i  waot,  at 
the  Rev.  Robert  Lomas's,  New  Chapel,  CKy  Road, 
London.  Ifl  can  get  another  copy,^  for  the  printer 
is  about  this  work,  1  will  write  to  brother  Black,  to 
whom  1  beg  my  love,  as  well  as  to  all  the  other  preach- 
ers.   God  bless  you. 

1  am,  very  dear  brother, 
Yours,  affectionately  and  faithfully, 

THOMAS  COJtE. 

P.  S.     The  ship  is  expected  to  sail  r^rly  to  morrow. 
and  it  is  now  nine  at  night. 


.Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Joshua  Marsdcn,  to  the  Rev- 

Dr.  Coke. 
City  St  John,  New  Brunswick,  Nov.  18, 1807. 

BEV.    AND    DEAR    blR> 

Your  letter,  and  one  from  the  missionary  commitec, 
came  to  hand  yesterday,  in  consequence  of  which  I 
have  begun  to  arrange  my  affairs,  and  get  all  things  in 
readiness  for  my  removal  to  Bermuda.  Had  your  let- 
ter come  to  hand  eight  weeks  ago,  I  might  now  have 
been  in  New-Tork,  on  my  way ;  but  as  the  season  is  so 
far  advanced,  1  may  probably  meet  with  some  impedi- 
ments.  However,  I  shall,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  do 
my  endeavour   to  get  thither  as  speedily  as  possible. 

When  1  think  of  the  forlorn  condition  of  the  "<^rmudi- 
an«j,  my  heart  longs  to  be  with  them,  to  preach  iue  pre- 
cious gospel  of  my  Lord  and  Master  in  that  Island.  O 
that  the  God  of  Abraham  may  send  me  good  speed,  and 
prepare  the  people  for  the  reception  of  his  dear  Son's 
gospel,  and  that  you  may  have  cause  to  rejoice  in  tho 


*  Thft  Miu'^^^. 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


i?a 


happy  issue  of  your  exertions  to  supply  Bermuila  with 
a  misidiuimry.  L  havo  written  to  request  Mr.  Hlaek  to 
seu'l  Mr.  Benuet  to  bt.  John,  am)  al»o  to  consult  iiim 
res.tectingthe  beat  method  ol  lultilling  your  requext,  and 
gettinji;  is  soon  as  possible  tothe  place  of  my  appointment, 
1  shah  write  to  you  again,  perhaps  at  New- York,  or  at 
least,  as  soon  as  i  arrive  at  Bermuda.  Meanwhile,  1 
should  he  glad  ilyou  would  be  bo  good  as  to  write  to  Ber- 
muda ;  iuid  let  the  friends  there  know  that  a  preacher  is 
on  liis  way  to  them. 

With  regard  to  this  city,  the  work  is  not  eo  lively  ai 
it  was  in  the  spring.  Indeed,  I  have  been  called  away 
from  them  mucli  this  summer,  both  u;i  the  river,  and 
likewise  to  the  h^ad  of  the  Buy  of  Fuudy.  By  the  bless- 
ing of  God,  however,  mobt  of  thoae  that  were  awakened 
last  March,  stand  firm  as  a  rock,  and  walk  huml)ly  and 
closely  will  (lod.  The  people  are  mueh  grieved  and 
discouraged  at  my  leaving  them,  but  I  hoi»e  brother  Ben- 
iiet,  who  is  much  beloved  iiere,  will  more  than  supply  my 
place.  1  request  an  interest  in  your  praj^ers  for  myself, 
ami  for  the  Lord's  blessing  u[>on  my  misfeion.  ^1>  tic- 
sire  is  to  die  to  all  things,  and  to  live  only  to  the  trlory 
of  Jehovah  .Icaus.  Vour  journals  have  of  late  been  a 
great  comfort  and  spur  to  my  mind.  M.\y  the  good  Lord 
quicken  me  a  tliousaud  fold  more,  and  make  a  poor  worm 
useful  in  his  vineyard. 
1  am,  Sir, 
Your  unworthy  son  in  the  Gospel, 

JOSHUA  MAKSDEN. 


1  would  observe,  that  while  in  Nova  Scotia,  I  had  re- 
ceived so  many  tokens  of  the  unfeigned  kindness  ot  the 
people,  that  I  could  not  hut  leave  it  with  deep  regret. 
Ijvould  particularly  observe,  that  in  Westmorelan^  cir- 
Ip^t,  I  received  many  kindnesses  from  Mr.  Wiiiiam  Ti«e- 

ft       M 


174 


MEMOIRS  OF 


man  and  family,  in  whose  house  I  had  the  severe  afflic- 
tion mentioned  above ;  where  1  was    nursed   by  sister 
Trueman  with  the  tenderness  of  a  mother.     In  the  same 
county  Mr.  Wells,  John  and  William  Faucet,  Mr.  Keach, 
Squires   Uixon  and  Roach,  with  a  number  of  otherf, 
were  very  kind.     I  would  also  mention   my  obligations 
to  Squire  Ralchford,  and  Mr.  Shannon,  at  Parsborough.   I 
shall   not  readily    forget  the   kindness  of  a  number  of 
families  and  individuals  in  Halifax,  particularly  Messrs. 
Anderson,    J)avis,  Seabury,    Nock,    and  their  families ; 
with  a  number  more,  whose   names,  I  trust,  are    in   the 
book  of  lile.     In  Liverpool,  1  would  gratefully  acknow- 
ledge  the   kindness   of   Mr.  Newlon,  Colonel    Perkins, 
Squire    Thomas,   Mr.    Robert   Barry,    and    Mr.   Kirk, 
While  1  laboured  on  the  Annapolis  circuit,  the  kindness 
of  i  olonel  Bayard  made  a  deej)  impression  on  my  mind; 
Messrs.  Bent,    Spur,  Rice,  Bonnet,   and    a  number  of 
©timers,  merit  my  thanks.     At  St.  John,  Mr.  John  Fer- 
guson,  Hanlbrd  M'Kee,  brother  M'Leod,  brother  Blair, 
Sir.  Henry  Hennigar,  and  several  others,    deserve   my 
gratitude.     In  fine   1    received  so  many  kindnesses   in 
Nova  Scotia,  that  it  would  perhaps  be  as  hard  to  number 
them   as  the  grains   in  a  haDdiiil  of   sand.     People  in 
England  and  the  United  States,  have  by  no  means  a  just 
opinion  of  this  fine  country ;  capable,  I  have  no  doubt, 
of  supplying  the  wants  of  several  millions  of  inhabitants. 
It  is  true,  the  winters  are  severely  cold  ;  but  in  a  conn- 
try  whose  latitude  is  only  44  deg.  N.  tbia  difficulty  will 
be  obviated,    as  the  land  is  cleared,   and   the   woods 
(wliich  are  nurseries  for  immense  quantities  of  snow)  are 
eutdown.-    Few  countries  enjoy  greater  |)rivileges  than 
the  British  provinces  in  North  America;  '.hey  have  no 
taxes,  hardly  any  poor-rate!?,  i>lenty  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty.     They  pay  no  tithes,  have  a  good  market  lor 
their  produce,  and  the  poor  exceedingly  high  wages  for 
*h^?y  fahour.     Land  is  rfaaonable,  prorisions  are  cheap ; 
io  short,  I  know  not  a  better  country  in  the  whole  world 


for  a  pool 
each  ma 
haughty  i 
siastic  to 
England, 
abundanc 
and  river 
and  mars 
ful  artich 
Orchards 
to  a  farn 
this  coun 
to  the  Br 


^^S  the 
fereuce,  I 
muda,  it 
respect  io 
larly  the 
Mr.  Johr 
was  app( 
Island  ol 
5rork,  on 
and  in  fit 
the  10th 
on  the  is! 
before  th 
circulate 
Hence  h 
that  prej 
tet  in  hi 


JOSHtJA  MARSDiilS. 


175 


for  a  poor  farmer,  or  an  honest  and  inilustrious  labourer  i 
each  man  can  choose  his  own  religion,  without  the 
haughty  intolerant  conduct  of  a  prou(!  established  eccle- 
siastic to  control  him.  The  summer  is  hotter  than  in 
England,  but  the  fall  is  delightfully  pleasant.  There  ia 
abundance  of  fish  and  game  in  the  country ;  the  lakes 
and  rivers  are  stocked  with  the  former,  and  the  woods 
and  marshes  with  the  latter.  Fruit  is  the  least  plenti- 
ful article,  and  even  this  U  becoming  more  abundant. 
Orchards  are  now  considered  as  a  necessary  appendage 
to  a  farm :  in  short,  some  twenty  or  thirty  years  hence, 
this  country  will  be  one  of  the  finest  colonies  belonging 
to  the  British  empire. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


i-LS  the  niisoi(»n  committee  und^r  the  direction  of  con- 
ference, had  appointed  me  to  labour  on  a  mii^bion  in  lier* 
muda,  it  may  be  necessary  inthi^  place  to  say  soniething 
respecliug  the  religious  state  of  the  islands,  and  particu- 
larly the  situation  of  the  confereiice  mission.  In  1 709, 
Mr  John  Stephenson,  a  preacher  of  (he  Irish  connexion, 
was  appointed  as  the  first  Methodist  missionary  to  the 
Island  of  Bermuda.  Mr.  Stephenson  arrived  at  New- 
york,  on  his  way  to  Bermuda,  the  Kith  of  April,  17h>9, 
and  in  fifteen  days  sailed  for  Bermuda,  where  he  arrived 
the  10th  of  the  foHoAving  May.  He  had  scarcely  landed 
on  the  island,  and  made  known  the  purport  of  his  mission, 
before  the  most  scandalous  and  ill-founded  reports  were 
circulated  to  his  discredit,  and  the  injury  of  bis  ministry. 
Hence  he  began  his  mission  under  all  the  disadvantages 
that  prejudice!  bigotry,  and  cajiimny  united,  could  scat- 
ter in  bis  path.     The  Governor  (Beckwitb)  waa  not 


I 


176 


MEMOIRS  Oi- 


iii 


disposed  to  be  very  {n»mlly  tovvanla  him,  and  some  of 
his  Excell»^Q('y*8  miiiioas  and  parasites  were  his  bvsora 
enemies  troni  the  first  moment  they  knew   his  errand- 
Finnlly,  his  i?uilt  attained  the  greatest  altitude,  and  the 
deepest  black— l»e  had  ventured  to  preach  to  the  black 
and  coloured  people;  and  at  this  time  Uie  slave-holders 
were  smarting  under  the  idea  of  the  complete  abolition 
of  this  detestable  tiafiie,  which  they  feared  would  take 
place.     Hence,   whoever  ai)peared  in  the  character  of 
ami  du  noir^  or  a  friend  of  the  blacks,  was  sure  to  be  de- 
tested.    Indeed,  no  one  could  thinU  of  suflVring;  the  gos- 
pel to  be  i.re:iched  to  the  blacks  without  the  greatest  lior- 
ror;  cutting  throats,  insumctions,  rebellion,  and  in  fine, 
all  the  horrors  of  St.  Domingo,  were  connected  with  the 
idea  of  enlightening  thoi^e  unfortunate  beings.     A  cof>i- 
plaint  was  lodged  by  one  .lustice  Green,  who  coming  to 
the  islands  in  the  capacity  of  an  itinerant  portrait-paint- 
er, had  scraped  together  a  little  money,  and  was  finally 
lifted  upon  the  stilt?  of  the  magistracy.     This  same  wor- 
thy Justice  hastened  to  the   Governor,  who,  it  api)ears, 
had  already  imbibed  a  prejudice  against  Mr.  Blephenson, 
because  he  had  not  studied  Greek  and  Liitiu  in  the  Bri- 
tish Universities,  in  order  to  qualify  him  to  teach  the 
(slaves  of  Bermud;i  how  to&erve  Go<!  and  save  their  souls. 
Accordingly  a  b»!l  was^^wought  into  the  house  of  assem- 
bly to  hinder  the  n<ost  daniierous  and  disloyal  thing  in 
the  world,  preaching  the  go^i.el  to  the  blacks.     The  bill 
pH-sed  the  house,   and  finally  became  a  law,  Wvirthy  the 
wisdom  of  Nero,  and  the   workmanship  of  a  Bt!iner.^ 


•  An  Act  to  prevent  persons  preteudini?,  or  having  pretended,  to 
be  nl'uiiKters  of  ttje  f?ospel,  or  missionaries  frora  any  religious  so- 
ciety vliatever,  and  not  invested  witli  lioly  orders,  according  to 
tljc  rites  and  ceremonies  of  ttic  church  of  England,  or  the  church 
of  Scotland,  from  acting  as  preacher's. 

WnKRKAS  it  is  conceived  extremely  essential  for  the  due  preser* 
ration  of  order  aixd  good  goveroinont,  as  also  for  the  bctitr  mvM- 


Mr.  Step 
statute,  a 
worthy  n 
great  to 
jjood  mai 
no  such  i 
that  beat 
righteous 


teaance  an 

these  islan( 

ed  to  be  m 

society  wh 

cording  to 

the  church 

gospel  or 

ful  and  lo; 

jesty's  Bei 

hesecch  yc 

by  your  M 

by  enactec 

son  whate^ 

the  gospel, 

iarly  iuves 

nies  of  thi 

allovired  to 

the  gospel. 

in  any  wis 

whatever ; 

to  this  law 

speaking  t 

public  or  < 

and  liable 

space  of  si 

And  be 

said,  that 

her,  or  th< 

pretended 

ligious  8o< 

ing  to  the 

iifief  or  pr 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


177 


Mr.  Stephenson  preached  in  defiance  of  the  Neronian 
statute,  and  was  taken  up  and  cast  into  prison ;  several 
worthy  men  offered  to  give  bail,  but  the  crime  was  too 
great  to  admit  of  such  a  composition.  However,  the 
good  man  found  that  a  prison  for  the  cross  of  Christ  was 
no  such  intolerable  thing — the  Lord  abundantly  fulfilled 
that  beatitude,  Blessed  are  they  who  are  persecuted  Ibk* 
righteousness  sake. 


tcaance  and  support  of  the  religious  principles  of  the  community  of 
these  islands,  to  exclude  all  persons  pretending,  or  having  pretend- 
ed to  be  ministers  of  the  gospel,  or  missionaries  from  any  religious 
society  whatever,  and  not  regularly  invested  with  holy  orders  ac- 
cording to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  church  of  England,  or 
the  church  of  Scotland,  from  propagating  any  doctrine  upon  the 
gospel  or  otherwise;  We,  therefore,  your  Majcpty's  most  duti- 
ful and  loyal  subjects,  the  General  AsBembly  of  these,  your  Ma- 
jesty's Bermuda  or  Somers  Islands,  in  America,  do  most  humbly 
hieseech  your  Majesty  vhat  it  may  be  enacted.  And  be  it  enacted 
by  your  Majesty's  Governor,  Council,  and  Assembly,  and  it  is  here- 
by enacted  and  ordained  "by  the  authority  ©f  the  same,  that  no  per- 
son whatever,  pretending,  or  having  pretended  t6  be  a  minister  of 
the  gospel,  or  missionary  from  any  religious  society,  and  not  reg-u- 
larly  invested  with  holy  oniers  according  to  the  rites  and  ceremo- 
nies of  the  church  of  England,  or  the  church  of  Scot'  .nd,  shall  be 
allowed  to  preach  or  propagate  in  these  islands  any  doctrine  upon 
the  gospel,  by  writing  or  printing,  or  by  speaking  to,  teachui;,',  or 
in  any  wise  lecturing  or  exhorting  any  pu'ilic  or  collected  audience 
whatever;  and  that  any  person  who  shall  violate  or  act  repugnant 
to  this  law,  by  preaching  or  propagating,  writing  or  printing,  or  by 
speaking  to,  teaching,  or  in  any  wise  lecturing  or  exhorting  any- 
public  or  collected  audience  whatever  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  subject 
and  liable  to  a  fine  of  fifty  pounds,  and  to  be  imprisoned  for  the 
space  of  six  months,  without  bail  or  raainprize. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  and  ordained  by  the  authority  afore- 
said, that  any  person  or  persons  admitting,  or  allowing  into  his, 
her,  or  their  house  or  dwelling,  any  person  pretending,  or  having 
pretended  to  be  a  minister  of  the  gospel  or  missionary  from  any  re- 
ligious society  whatever,  and  not  invested  with  ho!y  orders,  accord- 
ing to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  aforesaid,  for  the  purpose  of  preach- 
Vnflf  or  propagaUug  any  doctriue  upon  the  gospel,  by  writing  or 


;lf  - 


'1     .li 


■  jr 


w 


178 


MEMOIRS  OF 


It  appears  iioin  several  of  his  letters  that  I  have  io 
iny  possession,  that  the  consolations  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
were  most  copious  during  the  time  of  his  incarceration. 
When  the  special  court  sat,  his  trial  came  on,  and 
though  the  lawyer  he  employed  (Mr.  Esten,  the  pre- 
sent'chief-justice  of  Bermuda,)  made  a  most  able  speech 
on  the  liberty  of  conscience  and  toleration,  yet  the  Jury 
were  requested  by  the  chiefjustice  to  bring  him  in  guilty  j 
and  guilty  they  pronounced.  Doubtless  the  worthy 
Judge  had  prHJudicated  his  case.  Hence  no  mercy 
would  be  shown  such  a  heinous  otfender. 

Aud  is  there  now,  in  these  illilmin'd  days, 
W^'•n  freedom,  reason,  truth,  and  science  blaze? 
Is  there  a  spark  of  that  satauic  zeal. 
That  pil'd  the  faggot,  and  contriv'd  the  wheel? 
Does  Julian  live?  does  fierce  Domitian  reign? 
Or  savage  Mavy  blot  a  throne  again? 

The  sood  man  had  now  as  a  reward  for  coming  lour 
thousand  miles  by  sea,  (he  went  by  New- York,)  and 
his  various  labours  in  this  hot  climate,  the  consolation 
of  a  small  room  in  a  prison,  where  his  merciful  Judges 
aj)pointed  him  a  six- months  residence ;  but  he  rejoiced 
ill  the  Lord,  and  often  m,  le  the  prison  vocal  with  his 
praises,  while,  no  dt  ubt,  his  persecutors  trembled  at  the 
gloomy  prospect  of  a  judgment  to  come.     As  he  had  op- 


■"U- 


printing-,  or  by  speaking  to,  teachintr,  or  in  any  wise  lecturing  or 
exliortini?  as  aforesaid,  any  public  or  collected  audience  whatever, 
Bhail  be  subject  and  liable  to  a  fine  of  fifty  pounds,  and  an  impri 
sonraont  of  six  months,  without  bail  ormainprize. 

Passed  the  Assembly  this  25th  day  of  April,  1800,  and  ordered 
So  be  laid  before  the  council  for  concurrence. 

JAMES  TUCKER,  Speaker. 
Concurred  to  by  the  Council  this  23d  day  of  May,  1800. 

HENRY  TUCKER,  Vresident 


Assented  to  this  24Ui  day  of  May,  1800. ^^ 


\-wT-%-»ynrr\-%M 


UJiiUiiMi^  iSlJV^ ft. ?Viir 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


17& 


portunity,  he  exhorted  and  preached  to  the  poor  black 
people  through  the  grates  of  his  prison.  But,  veriljr, 
there  is  a  God  that  reignelh  on  earth.  In  that  same  pri- 
son was  the  speaker  of  the  house  of  assembly  confined; 
that  same  house  of  assembly  (with  the  difference  of  one 
or  two  members,)  that  made  the  execrable  law  to  impri* 
son  Mr.  Stephenson.  But  to  conclude,  at  the  end  of 
six  months  the  good  man  had  to  pay  his  fine  of  fifty 
pounds,  or  remain  in  jail  as  much  longer  as  ihey  pleased. 
However,  in  this  a  number  of  worthy  friends  assisted 
Iiim ;  but  the  prison-martyr  was  no  sooner  emancipated 
than  he  had  to  leave  the  island,  as  the  detestable  sta- 
tute was  still  in  force.  Thus,  before  a  society  was  form- 
ed, before  the  divine  seed  had  begun  to  spring,  was  this 
infant  mission  nipped  in  the  bud.  Truly,  God  hath  his 
way  in  the  whirlwind,  and  his  path  in  the  niiglity  wa- 
ters; and  yet,  though  clouds  and  darkness  are  round 
about  him,  judgment  and  justice  are  the  habitations  of 
his  throne. 

If  haughty  demagogues  oppress  the  just, 

And  trample  innocence  beneath  the  dust; 

If  fiery  bigots  persecute  and  rail. 

And  then  consign  tie  good  man  to  a  jail, 

Make  miglif  a  law,  to  gratify  their  spleen; 

Then  talk  of  justice,  vMiany  to  screen. 

Through  every  maze  of  this  ir.tricate  plan. 

There  is  a  God  that  marks  the  -  -       cf  man, 

'Tis  he  permits  the  wicked  irr  ;   o  ^n^ay, 

The  weak  to  struggle^  and  tue  ;    .,r  obey. 

But  though  thick  clouds  aud  ai  Lness  vail  his  throne^ 

A:  mists  obscure  the  beauty  of  the  sun. 

He  will  arise  with  veugeaace,  and  rcd^-ess, 

Who  suffer  for  the  cause  of  righteousness. 

Pious  plans  may  fiiil,  but  the  people  of  God  shall  not 
lose  their  glorious  reward.  Such  iundrances  are,  it  is 
true,  trials  to  (he  faith  and  patience  of  the  rijTht'^ous,  and 
means  of  filiing  up  (he  measure  of  wirkcdnegg  to  the  un- 
godly. 


r 


V 


ISO 


MEMOIRS  OF 


Thin-8  remainea  in  this  state  several  years,  from 
,800  tm  .808;  .ever.1  missionaries  haU  been  a„po,aed 
i»  the  mean  time,  but  none  chose  to  venture :  .mleed  .t 
U  ^  r,lasi„g'a  matter  to  flesh  and  bioo.,.    or  a  m,,a 

to  throw  •'--'""'" '|;-^,^rg;oinrtL.l.«^den: 
now-a-clays  are  like  Daniel,  willing  gu  i»^v 
iiuw  o  ""J  iUao    hav#>  nie  excused.     *.»n 

we  all  gladly  say,      , .ray    h-.    "e  m"rco..'-i>'»"-  » 
a  lolty  mountain  at  a  distance,  ^vc  ui«jr 

s,or„,y  ocean  »ilh  some  degree  o,  ^^^ff  '  f/"^^";^ 
among  the  foaming  oillows,  in  an  ag.tated  l.ttK.  bark, 

"VtrlVfs:  ZLe,  the  letter  that  contained  my  a,. 
p„;!lt;ne"t,  it  wa.  as  Solomon  says,  "'^-■-f ^,  ^J^ 
leelb,  and  smoke  to  my  eyes;  however,  by  the  bless,n„ 
nr(iod.  1  resolved  lofi^o. 

On  nv  arrival  in  St.  George,  I  was  a  stranger  .n  a 
stran..  Ud  i  for,  u,on  inquiry,  I  found  there  were  ne.- 

'ir  board,  -ho  understanding  my  '--»>  »»  ^^^ 
8hv  and  wbisperi  -:,  told  Ihe  captain  that  I  should  not  be 
t^lSostay  in  the  place:  nay  the  very  ''j^y  »»  "h.ch  I 
,  rTve !    "he  vestry  of  the  church  was  called  loge  her, 

c^iul.  how  they  might  e_i.her  -"J"- j"  «-\; 
bacU.  or  prevent    my    preaching  on  the  Island.     Iht 
:t.ca  tain,  who  frenuently  went  on^h-   find 
how  tbinss  were  going  forward,  told  me  '>>"'  l;^»"'; 
not  stav,  (hat  he  would  give  me  my  passage  lo  heBaha 
m.  Islat^d.,  and  back  to  Nova  Scotia,  adding  .nh.s  lu- 
ma  isiami-,  o  mm-lbv  01  a  mum- 

nest  but  blunt  manner,  "  Thry  ««  nm  rourow  J 
ter  I  Id  ihem  die  in  their  sins." 

My  mind  was  sorely  exeroised  with  my  s.tual.on .  my 
wifeand  child  on  board  the  vessel ,  she  far  "-'v-c-'J  ■" 
be  ,.regnancy  ,  no  door  open  in  the  town  wh.cl  was 
too  nil  of  soldiers  and  sailors  even  o  get  «'  g'"g-  ^^ 
friend  .o  invite  me  to  his  house;  all  ^7"?'/ "''*,' 
-.  ..„^.:..>..  h„t  even  then,  when  my  mjndwas  bpontuc 
rlckTmy  faith  blindly  groping  a  path,  and  my  thoughts  run- 


ning  to 
even  th( 
morning 
mind;  v 
duty,  m 
«torm  Id 
among  t 
ehoais : 
favoured 
€d  to  p!e 
of  Jonah 
to  die — 
I  had  a 
least  a  p 
applicab 
darkness 
of  the  L 
passage 
42d  chaj 
verse;  ♦' 
youj  an« 
not  piuc 
Ion,  of 
sailh  the 
ver  you 
you  that 
to  return 
dwell  in 
your  Go 
3Sgypt,  ^ 
a  trumpe 
dwell ;  t 
ye  feare( 
Several  c 
me  fearfi 
al.  I  rei 
gave  it  u 


josiftjA  mahsden. 


181 


frotu 
aimed 
eed  it 
a  man 
V  oi  us 
'a  den ; 
I.  On 
(late  a 

to  be 
i  burk, 

my  ap- 
•  to  my 
>le8sinj5 

er  in  a 
ere  nei- 
persons 

looked 
il  not  be 
which  I 
ogether, 
icp^i  me 
1.     The 

finding 
[  should 
ie  Baha- 
jhis  ho- 
a  minis' 

lion :  my 
anced  in 
lich  was 
ings:  no 
J  ns  dark 
upon  tlie 
ightu  rur»- 


ning  to  and  fro,  to  know  what  measures  I  should  adopt; 
even  then,  light,  divine  light,  like  the  first  rays  of  the 
morning  upon  a  benighted  traveller,  broke  in  upon  my 
mind;  we  looked  into  the  blessed  Liook,  not  for  mere 
duty,  nor  yet  for  entertainment,  but,  as  a  pilot  in  a 
storm  looks  at  a  chart  for  deliverance,  for  an  opening 
among  the  rocks  to  leeward,  era  passage  over  the  dreadful 
ehoals :  all  the  scriptures  that  were  applied  to  our  minds 
favoured,  nay,  urged  our  stay.  Flesh  and  blood  seem- 
ed to  plead  for  our  abandoning  the  mission,  but  I  thought 
of  Jonah;  and  was  airaid  to  flinch ;  for  myself  I  wished 
to  die — I  could  not  refrain  from  bursting  into  tears— but 
I  had  a  wife,  a  child,  whose  situation  made  my  grief  at 
least  a  pardonable  weakness,  ilei  ".r  was  a  passage  more 
applicable  than  those  words :  "  Le:  jim  that  walketh  in 
darkness  and  hath  no  light,  let  him  trust  in  ihe  name 
of  the  Lord,  and  stay  himself  upon  his  God."  But  the 
passage  that  seemed  to  come  with  most  weigl;  „,  vag  the 
42d  chajiter  of  Jeremiah,  from  the  tenth  to  the  sl>  c  rsth 
verse;  "If  ye  will  abide  in  this  land,  then  will  i  ouHd 
you5  and  not  p«ll  you  down,  I  will  plant  you,  and 
not  pluck  you  up;  be  not  afraid  of  the  king  of  Baby- 
ion,  of  whom  ye  are  afraid;  be  not  afraid  of  him, 
aaith  the  Lord,  for  I  am  with  you  to  save  you,  and  to  deli- 
ver you  from  his  hand ;  and  I  will  show  mercies  upon 
you  that  he  may  have  mercy  upon  you,  and  cause  you 
to  return  to  your  own  land.  But  if  ye  say,  we  will  not 
dwell  in  this  land,  neither  obey  the  voice  of  the  Lord 
your  God,  saying,  no;  but  we  will  go  into  the  land  of 
Egypt,  where  we  j^hall  see  no  war,  nor  hear  the  sound  of 
a  trumpet,  nor  have  hunger  of  bread,  and  there  will  we 
dwell ;  then  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  the  sword  that 
ye  feared  shall  overtake  you,  and  there  ye  shall  die." 
Several  other  matters  concurring,  hk  the  same  time,  made 
me  fearful  of  giving  up  the  attempt  without  sufficient  tri- 
al. I  recollected  that  others  had  been  discouraged,  and 
gave  it  up.    I  knew  that  Dr.  Coke  and  the  committee 

Q 


•  \  n 


182 


MEMOIRS  OF 


had  set  themselves  to  get  a  mission  established  on  tl.eec 
islands,  and  that  the  many  prayers  I  had  offered  to  God 
could  not  be  as  water  spilt  upon  the  ground.  A  letter 
1  wrote  to  Mr.  Benson  at  this  time,  will  more  fully  ex- 
plain my  situation  on  entering  on  this  new  mission. 


Mxlracl  of  a  later  from  Mr.  Joshua  Marsdm,  to  Mr. 

Benson. 

St.  George's,  Bermuda,  June  7,  1808. 
As  you  requested  me,  in  your  last,  to  write  from  Ber- 
muda  1  now  with  pleasure  comply  wi'h  your  desire.  My 
appointment  came  to  hand  last  fall,  just  as  I  was  going 
r.he  river  St.  John  to  visit  that  part  of  my  extensive 
rircuit  ■  but  as  the  winter  was  setting  in,  and  there  was 
rptpect  of  a  passage,  my  way  seemed  blocked  up 
Wl  the  sprinsc,  at  which  time  1  expected  to  sail  m  the 
fi  .  vel  for  Ncw-Yorh,  and  leave  my  dear  partner 
tith  her  friends  till  such  time  as  I  got  a  sett  ement  m 
Bermuda  to  semi  lor  her.    Meanwhile,  the  mission  ap- 

onTccount  of  the  persecuting  spirit  of  the  people    that 

we  set  aiiart  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  every  week,  m 

Tder  to  obtain  the  divine  blessing  and  protection.     In 

^e   m:nth  of  December,  fresh  t'oub.es  an     obs^^acles 

^rted  up  in  the  rumour  of  a    war  »vilh     he  Umled 

Staes  of  America.    St.  John,  my  circuit,  being  so  near 

fhe  American  lines,  and  supported  cl.ieBy  by  trade  with 

Z  States,  was  thrown  into  the  ulmosl  consternation. 

eslcially  as  there  were  not  wanting  people  to  magnify 

emy  little  report,  and  work  upon  the  lears  oi  the  in- 

""ItnUnued  to  get  ready,  and  waited  in  suspense  till 
the  beginning  of  April,  ^>:'-.^^<;-lhappened  to_s... 
fnr  the  Bahamas,  me  cnancixr  ui  «i»vr-j  . -.  .-        - 
!' ;Irnounds,  agreed  to  land  r.e  in  Bermuda.     We  had 
iffectionate  and  relact^nt  parting  with  our  friends  j 


a^nps 


JOSHUA  MAR^DEN. 


183 


3D  these 
I  to  God 
A  letter 
rully  ex- 
ion. 


to  Mr, 


1808. 

rem  Ber- 
jsire.  My 
i^as  going 
3xtensive 
there  was 
Dcked  up 
ail  in  the 
r  partner 
lement  in 
ission  ap- 
lertaking, 
ople,  that 
'  week,  in 
stion.     In 
obstacles 
he  United 
ng  80  near 
trade  with 
sternation, 
to  magnify 
01  the  in- 

jspense  till 
ned  to  sail 
(he  sum  of 
.  We  had 
our  friends; 


for  1  had  laboured  in  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Brunswick 
nearly  eight  years,  during  which  time  I  had  contracted 
many  rrien«lshi|>8,  received  many  kindnesses,  held  ma- 
ny precious  meetings,  and  had  the  unspeakable  satisfac- 
tion of  seeing  the  work  of  God  revive  through  several 
parts  of  both  provinces.     The  captain  and  mate  were  re- 
markably kind.   We  had  prayers  night  and  morning,  and 
on  the   sabbath   I  read  your  sermons  on   the  second 
coming    of    Christ.      For    the    first    nine     days    the 
weather  was   fine,  and   sailing  delightful,  as  we  were 
leaving  a  cold,  and  hastening  to  a  warm  climate;  but 
for  five  days  following  we  had  very  severe  gales,  and  one 
most   tremendous  squall   of  wind,   rain,   thunder)   anC 
lightning.     This  called  Joudly  for  the  exercise  of  faith^ 
and,  blessed  be  God,  my  strength  was  equal  to  the  trial. 
I  found  I  couhl  take  hold  on  the  promise,  and  rest  on. 
the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  Jehovah.     That  hymn  was 
made  a  great  blessing  to  my  «oul,  '*  Commit  thou  all  thy 
griefs,  and  ways  into   his  hands,"  &c.     After   running 
down  the  latitude  of  the  island,  we  had  another  serious 
difficulty,  that  of  not  knowinsr  whether  we  were  to  the 
east  or  west  of  the  island,  and  not  daring  to  run  in  the 
night  on  account  of  the  rocks  and  shelves  with  which  it 
is  surrounded  to  a  considerable  distance.     However,  we 
continued  standing  to  the  eastward  in  the  day,  and  lay  to 
in  the  night,  till  happily  we  made  the  island  on  the  side 
least  rocky ;  and  in  the  morning  a  pilot  came  out,  and  car- 
ried us  safely  into  the  harbour  of  St.  George. 

Not  a  single  person  did  I  know  in  the  town,  yet,  trust- 
ing in  God,  I  went  on  shore,  and  delivered  a  letter  of 
introduction  (given  me  by  my  dear  and  respected  friend> 
Colonel  B.  of  Nova  Scotia,)  to  the  Governor,  who  wish- 
ed me  to  wait  upon  him  in  the  morning,  during  which 
time  he  would  consider  the  business.  Meanwhile,  I 
gave  four  dollars  for  a  boat  to  carry  me  to  Mr.  Pallass's, 
the  only  Methodist  in  the  island.  I  got  safe  to  HamiU 
ton  io  about  three  hours,  and  found  a  sickly  old  man, 


I 


184 


JVIEMOIRS  ©!• 


1!': 


worn  with  affliction  and  harassed  with  persecution.  Thf 
good  man  gave  me  a  large  detail  d  the  various  trials  and 
oppositions  he  had  met  with,  and  inlormed  me,  that  the 
few   people  gathered   under  Mr.  Stephenson's  ministry 
had  mostly  lallen  off,  and   that  religion  was  in  a  most 
deplorable  state  in  the  island.     You  may  be  sure   Ihis 
information  did  not  raise  my  spirits,  an<\  I  returned  to  St. 
George  with  a  heavy  heart  and  gloomy  prospects,  there 
being  not  a  single  person  in  the  whole  town  to  befriend, 
advise,  or  assist  me,  my  wile  and  child  being  on  board 
the  vessel,  and  not  a  house  or  room  to  begot  m  town  lor 
money.     Most  of  the   u-  "ule  that  I  saw,  carried  their 
opposition  in  their  vi-vy  iookf,,  as  if  they  had  supposed 
that  I  had  come  to  . jata^l  a  plague  in  the  island.  Some 
advised  me  to  go  back  ;  rand  I  had  partly  made  up  my 
mind  so  to  do :  leaving  the  matter,  however,  with  the 
Lord,  and  resUng-my  staying  on  the  issue  of  my  having 
a  favourable  reception  from  the  Governor.     This  was  a 
moment  for  faith,  prayer,  and  fortitude  ;  and  glory  br  to 
God,  we  did  piove  their  efficacy. 

In  the  morning,  according  to  appointment,  1  waited  on 
his  Excellency,  who  received  me  with  much  civility, 
and  assured  me  he  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  help  me 
for  the  sake  of  his  friend  Colonel  B.     After  some  con- 
versation upon  the  subject  of  my  mission,  and  various 
other  matters,  he  sent  for  the  Chief  Justice  and  the  At- 
torney General,  to  know  whether  any  law  existed  to 
prevent  my  preaching  in  the  island.     The  Chief  Judge, 
at   the  Governor's   request,   examined   my  ordination 
passes,  my  civil  recommendations,  and  equivocated,  and 
demurred  for  some  time ;  but  the  Attorney  General  gave 
it  as  his  frank  opinion,  that  no  law  existed  to  hinder  the 
free  exercise  of  my  ministry.    But,  knowing  the  perse- 
'    cuting  spirit  of  the  inhabitants,  I  requested  his  Excel- 
lency to  grant  me  a  written  license  from  under  his  own 
hand,  to  which  the  Chief  Justice  objected,  saying.  It 
.-I  i__  r.— «.  ^/>  ^nnaiiH  ih*»  f5ftiinr.5I:  imon 


1.  Th«^ 
ah  and 
hat  the 
linibtry 

a  most 
re  Hiis 
lI  to  St. 
8,  there 
efritnd, 
n  board 
own  lor 
eil  their 
uppoaed 
.  Some 

up  my 
ivith  the 
'  haviiig 
ig  was  a 
►ry  be  to 

'aited  on 
civility, 

help  me 
ime  con- 
1  various 
I  the  At- 
(isted  to 
af  Judge, 
rdinatioD 
ated,  and 
eral  gave 
inder  the 
he  perse- 
is  Excel- 

his  own 
aying,  It 
cil;  upon 


JOf,  TI'A  MARSDEN. 


18^ 


I  I 


Ajiich  the  Oovernor  dismissed  me,  with  liberty  to  prep 
till  I  should  hear  lurlher  upon  the  subject.     I  have  %\ 
petitioned  his  Evcellency  lor  a  license,  but  have  as 
obtained  no  answer.     M^he  same  day  I  got  my  wife  . 
child  on  ^    >re,  without  a  place  in  which  to  lay  our  heaUs» 
or  p     f       little  furnitur'    save  the  inn,  the  landlord  of 
whicn   et  us  have  the  u        S  a  small  room  for  the  mo- 
ment, Saving  no  where  tise,  as  the  town  was  full  of  army 
ami  iiix.y  officers,  and  every  place  taken.     However,  in 
this  too,  Providence  kindly  interposed,  and  directed  us 
to  two  rooms  belonging  to  a  person  of  colour,  which  an 
officer  of  the  army,  going  to  Halifax,  had  just  quitted. 
These  I  hired  for  one  pound,  or  three  dollars  this  curren- 
cy, i>er  week ;  and  this  sum  will  not  appear  to  you  ex- 
travagant, when  I  inform  you,  that  for  the  one  day  which 
my  wife  and  self  were  at  the  inn,  the  charge  was  3Z.  16^. 
or  eleven  dollars  and  a  half. 

Having  got  our  little  matters  to  our  rooms,  we  felt 
more  happiness  than  if  (hey  had  been  a  [)alace.  One  of 
the  rooms  being  pretty  large,  I  sent  the  b'  ,k  man  to 
give  notice  that  !  would  preach  the  following  morning, 
it  jeing  the  Lord's  day,  when  a  few  whites  and  blacks 
attended.  But  the  congregation  has  been  increasing 
ever  since,  so  that  I  have  now  as  many,  and  more  than 
the  room  will  well  hold ;  and  the  whites  complain  that 
they  cannot  get  room  on  account  of  the  black  people. 
The  people  are  very  attentive,  and  all  kneel  at  prayer. 
1  think  there  is  a  prospect  of  doing  good,  allowing  that 
I  am  not  persecuted  out  of  the  island.  Some  have  ad- 
vised to  begin  a  little  meetinghouse,  but  I  wish  to  wait 
a  little,  and  mark  the  disposition  of  those  in  power,  whe- 
ther they  will  be  friendly  towards  us  or  not.  My  mind 
has  been  deeply  pained  to  see  the  wickedness  of  the 
place,  ami  the  sad  want  of  means  to  stem  the  overflow- 
ing torrenf.  The  blacks  are  kind,  polite,  and  much  ad- 
dicted to  dress.  I  have  made  one  tour  through  the  isl- 
aed,  and  have  met  with  some  friendly  people,  who  seem 

^2 


H  .1 


f  r 


>i  I ' 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


■-  IIIIM 

150     ™^= 

!r    140 


11= 

M 

1.8 


1.25 

1.4 

1^ 

■• 6"     — 

» 

Photographic 

Sciences 

Corpoiation 


23  WEST  MAIN  ^.TREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(7)6)872-4503 


^<'/ 


f/j 


•^ 


*^* 
*. 


186 


MEMOIRS  OP 


to  wish  me  success  iu  the  Lord's  name.    With  regard  to 
the  country  ia  general,  cultivation  is  sadly  neglected; 
and  the  people  live  miserably.    They  prefer  poverty  and 
indolence,  to  plenty  and  toil.     A  little  fish  and  bread  is 
their  principaj  food  ;  and  though  blessed  with  the  finest 
climate  in  the  world,  they  will  not  improve  the  blessing. 
If  it  would  not  be  thought  foreign  to  the  subject,  I 
would  say  a  little  of  the  climate,  produce,  and  popula- 
tion of  these  islands,  which  are  several  hundreds  in  num- 
ber.    Though  not  within  the  tropics,  Bermuda  enjoys 
the  benefit  of  a  constant  summer.     The  sky  is  generally 
serene,  the  air  remarkably  pure,  and  the  plants,   trees, 
and  shrubs  always  green.  .  I  do  not  wonder  that  it  has 
been  recommended  to  valetudinarians,   and   called  by 
poets,  "  Pure  Bermuda.*'     The  gentle  gales  passing  over 
groves  of  cedar,  of  which  the  island  i?  full,  ditfuse  the 
most  fragrant  and  agreeable  odours.     The  appearance  of 
the  land  is  rather  barren,  but  the  sweet-scented  cedar- 
trees  present  a  perpetual  green.     The  water  of  the  sea, 
round  the  ib.«jid,  is  so  clear  and  limpid,  that  the  fine 
Avhite  sand,  and  large  brown  rocks,  are  seen  to  a  consi- 
derable depth.   I  should  not  forget  to  say,  that  the  houses 
are  perfectly  white,  and  at  a  distance,  appear  like  masses 
of  snow,  which,  contrasted  with  the  beautiful   green, 
form  a  fine  spectacle.     The  length  of  the  whole  cluster 
of  islands,  is  about  twenty  miles,  and  the  breadth  three, 
so  that  you  may  suppose  they  are  none  of  them  very 
large.     There  is  scarcely  any  land  carriage,  and  not  a 
cart  or  truck  on  the  islands ;  but  a  vast  number  of  boats 
are  continually  sailing  to  and  fro.     The  principal  har- 
bours are,  St.  George  to  the  eastward,  Uaniilto;^    to  the 
westward,  Castle-Harbour  to  the  southward,  and  a  Roac!- 
stead  for  men  of  war  and  large  ships,  to  the  northward. 
Hamilton  and  Salt  kettle  ar  *  two  vill-iges.     St.  George 
la  tha  nniv  town.     It  Contains   about  two  thousand  nco- 
pie,  blacks  and  whites;  but  there  are  no  places  of  wor- 
ship, or  public  buildings,  if  we  except  a  small,  ill-con- 


if  :^    V  ,N 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


187 


Btructed  church.  Dissenters  there  are  none.  Alas! 
they  appear  to  be  all  of  one  way  of  thinking,  and  chiefly 
belong  to  the  synagogue  of  Satan.  The  pretended  pre- 
judice against  Dissentefs  is  a  foolish  idea  that  they  ren- 
der the  blacks  disaffected;  but  the  real  objection  is,  the 
blessed  strictness  of  our  doctrine,  which  militates  so 
much  against  prevailing  and  tolerated  vice. 

One  great  natural  delect  of  this  island,  is  want  of  wa- 
ter.    As  there  are  no  springs  but  what  are  brackish,  wa- 
ter is  very  scarce,  which,  in  so  warm  a  climate  as  this, 
is  a  painful  circumstance.   Rain-water,  which  is  the  only 
kind  fit  to  drink,  is  sometimes  nine-pence  a  pail.    They 
have  a  common  saying  here,  *'  No  rain,  no  drink ;  no 
fisb,  no  dinner."     The  other  water  is  very  pernicious, 
and  apt  to  bring  on  the  dysentery,  which  is  a  disorder 
very  common  here.     Fresh  meat  they  have  little    or 
none,  unless  it  be  a  puss- whale  now  and  then,  which  is 
esteemed  a  delicacy,  and  sold  for  a  quarter  of  a  dollar  a 
pound.     I  ate  some  the  other  day  equal  to  the  best  beef 
I   ever  tasted.     Goats  are  very  common,  they"  supply 
the  inhabitants  with  milk,  and  feed  among  the  ropks. 
They  have  very  few  horned  cattle,  and  those  v^^jaai- 
serable,  owing  to  the  want  of  water  and  pasturage^l^ef, 
mutton,  and  veal,  are  two  shillings  and  six  p^ce  per 
pound;  but  to  sup|)ly  this  defect,  the  islands  abound 
with  delicious  fiBh,  singularly  beautiful  both  in  colour 
and   conformation.      Yet   even   these   are  not  cheap. 
Fruit  is  plentiful  in  the  fceason.     Fine  lemons,  Oianges, 
and  limes,  grow  wild  in  the  woods.     Figs,  and  pome- 
granates, are  also  common.     The  principal  trees  are  the 
cedar,  the  palmetto,  the  tamarind,  and  the  banana.    The 
island  produces  cassavi  and  arrow-root,  which' is  a  most 
delicate  ingredient  in  puddings.     Sweet  jiotatocs  and 
onions  are  common.     Indeed  all  the  esculents  commoii 
*to  an  English  garden,  may  be  raised  here.     No  gvain  is 
produced  on  the  island,  except  a  little  barley.    Although 
the  climate  is  favourable  to  the  growth  of  sugar-cane^ 


% 


108 


MEMOIRS  or 


yams,  cotten,  indian  corn,  and  oats,  yet,  rather  than  pro- 
cure  bread  by  the  sweat  of  their  brows,  they  have  re- 
course to  a  thousaud  shilts  to  support  a  life  of  squalid 
poverty  and  dishonourable  sloth.  Centipedes,  lizards, 
ar'»  most  tropical  insects  are  very  common;  but  I  have 
not  heard  any  singing-birds  on  the  islands,  though  there 
are  some  birds  of  the  moat  rich  and  crimson  plumage  I 

ever  saw. 

The  population  of  the  island  is  estimated  at  ten  thou- 
sand, most  of  whom  are  slaves  or  free  people  of  colour. 
The  blacks  live  together  without  marriage,  and  I  have 
heard  that  polygamy  is  very  common.     They  have  little 
trade,  as  they  have  neither  manufactures  nor  produce  to 
export.     A  few  sloops,  however,  sail  with  onions  every 
year  to  different  West-India  Islands,  and  many  of  the 
inhabitants  spend  their  summers  in  Turks  Island,  one  of 
the  Bahamas,  in  making  salt.     A  few  are  employed  in 
building  cutlers  for  the  king's  service,  but  their  cedars 
are  too  small  for  ships  of  any  magnitude.     T.*e  men  of 
war  on*the  Halifax  station,  usually  winter  here,  which 
Qi«ke8  a  little  traffic  in  the  sale  of  prizes,  and  prize-goods, 
which,  with  a  few  imports  from  England,  and  now  and 
the**  sloop  from  the  West-Indies,  is  the  whole  of  their 
trade.   1  should  not  omit  to  mention  that  from  the  leavea 
of  the  palmetto-tree  they  make  fine  hats  for  exportation. 
My  prospect  of  doing  good  is  much  brighter  than  on 
my  first  arrival :  my  soul  feels  refreshing  seasons,  and  now 
and  then,  a  few  respectable  White  people  drop  in  to  bear 
what  the  stranger  has  to  say.  1  have  given  away  about  an 
hundred  little  pamphlets,  which  the  people  seem  to  read 
with  avidity,  and,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  1  expecf  pure 
religion  will  be  established  in  St.  George,  and  through 
the  islands.  Yet,  for  a  little  while  the  mission  will  be  ex- 
pensive, every  thing  is  so  high  and  house-rent  so  dear. 

"         *    '    ri  would  he  much  less 


tvtiaatnn 


expensive,  and  in  its  present  state,  it  is  much  more  suita- 
ble  for  a  single  than  a  married  preacher;  I  would  there- 


fore  req 
goon  as  I 
tion  laid 
I  live  u|i 
sure  not 
sary,  wl 
home, 
island,  a 
for  prea( 
preachic 
not;  ho 
the  com 


My  fi 
sons,  in 
and  his 
persons. 
Lord  di 
that  the 
beginnii 
fore  me 
men  th{ 
they  do 
counter 
appear i 
dence, 
nesi?,  ti 
Our  bi 
years. 
individ 
Lydia. 
Ukc  a  I 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


189 


fore  request,  that  a  single  missionary  may  be  sent  as 
soon  as  [)0S3ible,  by  which  time  I  hope  to  get  a  founda- 
tion  laid,  and  something  begun  towards  an  establishment. 
I  live  upon  as  «?aving  a  plan  as  possible,  and  yet  I  ans 
sure  not  less  than  150/.  sterling  annually  will  be  neces- 
sary, which,  for  a  while,  at  least,  must  be  supplied  from 
home.  I  have  not  received  a  dollar  since  I  came  on  the 
island,  and  have  been  at  some  expense  to  fit  up  my  room 
for  preaching ;  as  yet  I  have  not  been  molested  while 
preaching  in  either  town  or  country,  and  1  hope  1  shall 
not ;  however,  I  leave  that  to  the  Lord.    My  love  to  all 

the  committe  and  preachers. 

I  am,  dear  Sir, 
Ycur  affectionate  friend,  and  obliged  servant, 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


My  first  congregation  amounted  to  about  a  dozen  petr 
sons,  including  the  captain,  the  supercargo  of  the  vessel, 
and  his  lady;  the  rest  were  chiefly  black  and  coloured 
persons.  However,  I  was  not  discouraged ;  I  knew  the 
Lord  did  not  despise  the  day  of  small  things;  I  feiiew 
that  the  noblest  institutions  frequently  arose  from  WAe 
beginnings,  and  faith  and  patience  opened  a  prospect  be- 
fore me  of  better  times.  Here  I  would  caution  young 
men  that  go  upon  new  mission?  not  to  be  cast  down,  if 
they  do  not  at  once  meet  with  rapid  success  and  great 
countenance;  for  as  the  stars  of  an  evening  sky  do  not 
appear  all  at  once,  but  one  after  another,  so  will  Provi- 
dence, step  by  step,  open  the  way,  and  illume  the  dark- 
ness, till  the  whole  hemisphere  i&  spangled  with  light. 
Our  blessed  Lord  had  but  a  few  followers  for  several 
years.  The  apostles,  in  some  places,  had  only  solitary 
individuals ;  perhaps,  a  few  women,  as  in  the  case  of 
Lydla.  Religion,  in  most  places,  at  the  beginning,  is 
ttke  a  grain  of  mustard-aeed,  which,  in  time,  spreads  its 


I 


.#* 


190 


aiEMOlRS  05^ 


-%! 


m 


branches  and  furniBhes  the  birds  a  refuge,  and  the  bcasls 
a  shade.  Thus  the  christian  religion  consisted  at  first 
of  a  few  poor  fishermen  and  mechanics.  The  reforma- 
tion sprung  from  a  solitary  monk  and  a  few  of  his  com- 
panions. The  church  of  Scotland  arose  from  the  insula- 
ted labours  of  John  Knox.  The  Quakers  arose  from 
George  Fox,  William  Penn,  and  a  few  others.  The 
,  Methodists,  who  are  now  four  hundred  thousand  strong, 
eighty  years  ago  consisted  of  no  more  than  some  six  or 
eight  young  men  in  one  of  the  colleges  of  Oxford. 

The  state  of  things  at  Bermuda  when  I  arrived,  was 
nearly  as  follows:— St.  George,  one  church,  no  dissenters ; 
one  sermon  every   sabbath,  that  is,  if  the  incumbent 
chose ;  the  rector  or  minister  a  sot,  a  gambler,  a  blas- 
phemer, a  spendthrift— who,  though  a  single  man,  with 
perhaps  2001.  sterling  a  year,  was  at  last  obliged  to  flee 
IVom  the  Island  for  debt;  they  had  no  meetings  of  any 
kind ;  no  professors  of  religion,  save  a  poor,  lame  black 
woman,  of  the  name  of  Hannah,  and  three  young  men, 
who  were  blindly  following  a  God  unknown.     These 
bad  been  brongWrto  some  degree  of  seriousness  by  means 
ofa  Mr.  S^aSandimanian  Baptist,  then  in  England.  The 
nimiber  of  inhabitants  in  St.  George  is  about  2500, 
350  of  whom  went  to  church  :  the  rest,  what  did  they 
do?   and  of  what  religion  were  they?     Alas,  pleasure 
aeemed  their  pursuit ;  money  their  god,  and  blindness  to 
futurity  their  only  refuge.     Ah !  my  reader,  if  you  would 
inquire  for  true  religion,  never  go  to  the  British  Insular 
Colonies  I     Never  go  to  the  southern  states  of  America '. 
they  are  polluted  with  slavery,  and  slavery  is  the  most 
demoralizing  thing  under  the  sun.     It  is   the  parent 
of  oppression,^  the  nurse  of  sloth  and  guilty  passions. 
It  is  the  bane  of  man,  and  thp   abomination  of  God. 
Where  slavery  reigns  the  human  being  is  made  a  beast 
of  burthen,  or  the  slave  of  lust.    The  poor  half-famish- 
ed negro,  trembles  at  a  tyrant's  nod,  and  loses  ev^ry 


* 


good  qua 
ness  of  I 
were  am 

An 
Wi 

Ther( 
moral  p 
other  Isl 
every  oi 
ter  over 
once  or] 
the  weel 
or  keep 
know,  w 
the  sacr< 

When 
than  St. 


•«Th« 
the  Proph 
Bccutious 
but  the  a< 
these  pool 
the  nutnbi 
of  these  5 
in  the  Wt 
The  Abb< 
loving  A 
moreover, 
ning  of  th 
upon  this 
if  we  have 
to  sink  al 
ruin  and  ( 
slave  cou 
my  fellow 
my  famil; 
fiptily— i 


■;^s. 


JOSHUA  MARS!>eV. 


191 


good  quality  in  the  servility  of  a  drudge,  or  the  wicked- 
ness of  a  prostitute.    O  that  this  scandal  of  humanity 
^     were  annihilated, 

And  every  isle  amidst  the  western  wave 

With  freedom  glow,  and  Ijlush  to  own  a  slave.* 

The  rest  of  Bermuda  is  superior  to  St.  George,  in  a 
moral  point  of  view.  Indeed  the  inhabitants  of  the 
other  Islands  do  not  love  those  ot  St.  George ;  though 
every  one  must  lament  the  evil  of  appointing  one  minis- 
ter over  four  parishes,  and  this  minister  only  preaching 
t>nce  on  the  sabbath-day  and  keeping  a  school  all 
the  week.  Alas,  will  one  sermon  in  four  weeks  kindle 
or  keep  alive  the  sacred  flame  of  religion  ?  They  best 
know,  who,  with  all  the  means  they  use,  lament  that 
the  sacred  tire  will  often  burn  dim  and  faint. 

When  I  said,  the  rest  of  Bermuda  was  more  moral 
than  St.  George,  I  should  have  confined  myself  to  the 


*  "  The  slave-trade,"  says  the  Rev.  David  Simpson  in  his  Key  to 
the  Prophecies,  "  is  a  business  somewhat  similar  to  the  bloody  per- 
Bccutious  which  have  taken  place :  the  principle  is  indeed  different^ 
but  the  act  is  much  the  same."  The  constant  annual  consumption  of 
these  poor  creatures  is  reckoned  at  about  60,000.  In  the  year  1768, 
the  number  of  slaves  bought  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  was  104,100; 
of  these  52,000  were  b  ught  by  British  merchants.  The  number 
in  the  West-Indies,  belonging  to  England,  is  said  to  be  706,000. 
The  Abbe  Raynal  states,  the  whole  number  in  America,  (freedom- 
loving  America,)  and  the  West-Indies,  at  1,400,000.  He  say^ 
moreover,  that  the  total  importation  from  Africa,  since  the  begin- 
ning of  the  slave-trade,  is  9,000,000  of  slaves.  I  observe,  says  hcj 
upon  this  terrible  account,  that  the  business  of  the  slave-trade  alone^ 
if  we  have  no  other  national  transgressions  to  answer  for,  is  enough 
to  sink  all  the  nations  concerned  in  that  diabolical  traffic,  in  utter 
ruin  and  destruction.  Is  there aGod  that  judgeth  the  earth  ?  then, 
slave  countries,  look  to  yourselves.  I  would  say,  when  speaking  of 
my  fellow-creatures  at  large,  with  the  excellent  Fenelon,  *'  I  love 
my  family  better  than  myself.  I  love  my  country  better  than  my 
fffpiily— -btit  I  love  mankind  in  general  better  than  my  conntiy." 


.^ 


\n 


MEMOIRS  OF 


I 


pariBhes  Brackiali  Pond,  Spanish  Point,  (the  best  in  the 
Islaml)  Crow  Lane,  and  Heron  Bay  ;  in  two  of  these  a 
worthy  minister,  of  the  name  of  Littleton,  had  left  some 
precious  seeds,  and  in  the  last  a  Presbyterian   minister 
(formerly  a  Methodist)  had  spread  some  divine  light;  and 
thirdly,  the  little  time  that  Mr.  Stephenson  was  allowed 
to  preach  unmolested,  was  not  without  some  excellent 
effects  •     But  no  chapels  were  built,  no  societies  were 
formed,  the  people  exhibited  few  features  of  evangelical 
piety.     It  is  true,  many  of  them  in   the  interior  of  the 
Island  treated  the  author  with  great  politeness,  civility, 
and  attention;  Indeed   this  is  the  character  of  most  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Beroiuba ;  St.  George  is  an  exception 
to  this  remark ;  in  that  little  town,  there  is  a  supercilious 
stiffness,  a  foppish  pride,  arising  from  some  wealth  jomed 

to  littleness  of  mind.  ,.  •  i   i 

The  nine  parishes  into  which  the  Islands  are  divided, 
have  only  three   clergymen;  and  considering  one    of 
these  as   the  chaplain  of  the  garrison  of  St.    George, 
each  of  the  others  has  four  parishes  under  his  care.   The 
blacks,  who  compose  more  than  one  half  of  the  eleven 
thousand  inhabitants,  were  almost  all  excluded  from  a 
possibility  of  religious  instruction  and  divine  worship  ; 
the  body  of  the  church   must  not  be   desecrated   with 
them.     Hence  at  the  end  of  each  church  a  place  is  se- 
parated  from  the  rest,  where  they  are  penned  up  like  cat- 
tle at  a  fair.     They  are  in  the  churches  wholly  excluded 
from  the  rites  of  baptism,  marriage,  and  the  sacrament, 
tm  the  present  day ;  being  by    many   thought   of  little 
value,    but  as  the  handmaids  of  labour,  or  the  instru- 
ments of  lust.  «     ^  *u 

After  1  had  tarried  a  little  while  in  St.  George,  the 
burning  heat  not  agreeing  with  my  wife's  health,  I  re- 
moved upon  the  main  Island,  to  the  parish  of  Brackish 
Pond;  from  whence  I  wrote  the  following  letter  to  the 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


103 


Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Joshua  Marsdetiy  to  the  Rev* 
Dr.  Coke,  dated  Brackish  Pond,  Bermuda,  September 
2,  1808. 


»EV.   AND   DEAR   SIR, 

You  will  doubt'ess  be  anxious  to  know  something  re- 
lative  to  the  infant  mission  in  Bermuda,  and  I  am  happy 
to  inform  you  that  I  see  more  and  more  the  wisdom  of 
Providence  in  inclining  you  to  send  me  to  these  Islandsj 
which,  though  abounding  with  all  manner  of  wickedness) 
are  nevertheless  a  very  wide  and  suitable  field  for  mis- 
sionary industry  and  zeal.  In  the  little  town  of  St. 
George  I  have  united  about  fifty  in  society,  most  of 
whom  are  coloured  people,  or  blackS)  who  are  athiret 
for  salvation  and  instruction)  and  very  thankful  that  God 
has  sent  a  missionary  among  them,  to  teach,  as  they  say, 
**  such  poor  blind  creatures  the  way  of  life  and  happi- 
ness." In  the  country,  the  scene  of  Mr.  Stevenson^ 
labours,  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  form  a  society^  ex- 
cept a  small  one  at  Somerset.  I  have  large  congrega- 
tions in  the  country,  but  they  hitherto  keep  aloof; 
aor  will  they,  in  general,  let  their  slaves  come  at  all. 
They  run  away  with  the  idea,  that  religion  would  make 
them  proud,  and  negligent  of  their  duty.  Hitherto  the 
<jlovernor  has  treated  me  kindly  ;  but  religion  will  de- 
rive no  BU[)port  here  from  power,  opulence,  or  office.  It 
must  stand  upon  its  own  legs,  as  in  the  apostolic  times. 
Nor  was  there  ever  a  place  where  the  salvation  of 
the  soul  was  less  thought  of  than  in  Bermuda.  Many 
suppose,  that  going  to  hear  one  sermon  in  four  weeks  is 
i]uite  sufficient {  while  others  affect  to  think  that  God  is 
too  good  to  send  a  soul  to  hell  for  a  little  sin.  In  this 
.little  mercenary  place,  nothing  is  esteemed  but  money; 
the  people  are  chiefly  all  of  one  religion,  that  of  money* 
pleasure,  vanity;  while  the  Trinity  they  bel  3ve  in  and 


I  ft  I 


194 


MEMOlitS  OF 


worship,  is  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil.*  You 
would  be  astoaished  how  few  white  men  there  are  in 
the  country.  They  are  chiefly  at  sea,  and  in  fur^s 
Island  making  salt.  Wherever  I  preach,  except  in  St. 
George,  1  have  generally  six  women  lor  one  man,  ana 
80  dressy  that  you  would  suppose  them  to  be  going  to 

"  This  island  has  been  in  a  most  deplorable  state  for 
urovision  since  the  American  embargo  }  indeed,  upon 
the  very  verge  of  a  famine,  or  actual  starvation ;  and 
living  is  so  high  that  the  mission  will  be  expensive  at  the 
first      I  had  to  sell  most  of  my  furniture  in  New  Brnns- 
wick,  not  being  able  to  bring  it  in  the  vessel,  which 
was  every  part  stowed  full,  so  thatdnce  I  came  hither 
1  have  had   to  buy   furniture  at  an  extravagant  price. 
This,  together  with  my  having  had  to  buy  and  keep  a 
horse,  at  the  rate  of  about  a  dollar  and  a  half  per  week, 
will  render   my  situation  expensive.     Added  to  these 
ihinffs  my  wife  has  been  sick  since  we  came,  and  you 
know  what  the  doctor's  fees   are  in   the  WesMndies. 
And  as  my  wife  has  two  little  ones,  we  are  obliged  to 
hire  a  black  woman,  which  is  an  additional  expense; 
tor  the  weather  is  so  very  hot,  that  she  cannot  stand  the 
fetigue  of  going  about  the  house  in  her  weak  state  with 
two  children  to  attend  to. 

As  yet  1  have  received  nothing  since  I  came  but 
eighteen  dollars  to  pay  for  the  hire  of  the  room  I  preached 
in  at  St.  George.  This  little  society  is  lioor,  but  they 
have  begun  to  subscribe  five  dollars  a  week  to  buy  a 
«iece  of  land  to  build  upon;  although  I  despair  of  going 
forward  with  any  thing  of  the  kind,  unless  you  will  lend 
us  a  little  assistance.    With  the  sum  or  donation  of  100/. 


•  This  remark  is  too  severe  if  applied  to  all  the  inhabitants :  it 
^  made  under  a  similar  impression  to  what  David  felt.  I 
^(\  in  my  htuite,  ail  sacu  ' 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


195 


t  may  be  enabled  to  erect  a  little  meeting-house,  amt 
give  the  mission  an  establishment.  Dear  Sir,  if  you. 
can  do  any  thing  on  this  occasion,  do  help  us.  Never 
was  there  a  place  that  stood  more  in  need  of  such  a 
thing  than  this.  We  live  very  economically,  and  yet  I 
soon  shall  be  obliged  to  draw  upon  the  treasurer  again. 
Taking  in  house-rent,  and  all  matters,  we  cannot  live  at 
all  under  twelve  dollars  per  we^k:  flour  itself  is  from 
eighteen  to  twenty  dollars  a  barrel,  and  other  things  in 
proportion.  And  even  with  that  sum  we  can  only  af- 
ford a  little  fresh  fish,  or  salt  meat  for  dinner.  Fresh 
meat  is  from  two  shillings  to  two  shillings  and  sixpence 
per  pound. 

Could  we  get  a  little  chapel,  I  make  no  doubt  but  a 
missionary  might  be  supported  independently  of  the  funds 
at  home.  But  till  this  be  the  case,  his  whole  living 
will  have  to  come  from  that  quarter.  The  summer  is 
uncommonly  hot.  I  have  had  two  very  heavy  sun- 
strokes, as  they  call  them  here  ;  one  more  as  severe  ais 
the  last  might  ruin  my  constitution,  and  send  me  to  my 
grave.  However,  it  is  a  consolation,  that  I  am  in  God's 
hands,  who  cannot  err.  I  still  live  in  the  country,  both 
becanse  keeping  a  horse,  and  house-rent,  is  much  cheap- 
er than  in  the  town.  But  I  intend  to  remove  back  to 
St.  George  as  soon  as  possible,  because  there  is  a  far 
brighter  prospect  of  doing  good  by  devoting  a  greater 
part  of  my  time  to  that  town  than  I  can  possibly  do  at 
present,  living  at  the  distance  of  ten  miles,  besides  my 
having  ferries  to  cross. 

The  former  persecutors  of  Mr.  Stephenson  hare  not 
as  yet  molested  me,  by  reason  as  I  suppose,  of  my  be- 
ing protected  by  the  Governor,  who  very  kindly  asked 
me  a  little  while  ago  if  any  person  had  attempted  to  dis- 
turb me.  On  my  application  to  his  Excellency  for  the 
grant  of  a  small  lot  of  land  near  the  town  to  build  in  fu- 
ture a  small  meeting-house  upon,  he  very  handsomely 
prooiigeu,  that  if  the  land,  aiiuueu  to  was  not  granted,  he 


19« 


MEMOIKi)  t>V- 


would  do  all  in  W«  power  to  let  us  have  it,  nml  request, 
ea  me  to  wait  upoa  him  again,  and  he  would  get  more 
information  respecting  it,  and  let  me  know.     We  I,  the 
work  18  the  Lord's,  and  he  can  turn  the  hearts  of  men 
which  way  soever  it  pleases  him.     Poor  Mr.  P.  seldom 
gets  to  the  meeting ;  is  become  old,  extremely  poor,  and 
deeply  afflicted.    My  dear  partner  unites  with  me  in  love 
to  yourself  and  Mrs.  Coke ;  and  I  am,  with  cordial 
wishes  for  your  welfare, 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

Your  unworthy  Con  in  the 
Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ, 

JOSHUA  MARSUEN. 


As  my  letters  will  form  the  best  history  of  my  mission 
to  Bermuda,  and  as  saying  much,  beside,  inserting  them, 
would  be  treading  the  same  ground  over  again,  1  shall 
^nfine  myself  chiefly  to  the  information  they  contam; 
Tow  and  then  making  such  other  remarks  as  arise  from 
my  materials,  to  furnish  this  memoir. 

^In  the  November  following,  having  to  draw  on  he 
mission  fund,  I  wrote  the  following  epistle  to  the  worthy 
»iiperinte«dent  of  the  missions. 


liVow  Mr.  Marsiknj  to  the  ^v.  Br.  Coke. 
Brackish  Pond,  Island  of  Bermuda,  Nov,  26.  1808. 

mBV.   AND   DEAR   SIR, 

As  I  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  drawing  upon 
the  Treasurer  for  50l.  sterling,  I  take  the  opportunity  of 
civine  you  a  further  account  of  my  success  in  this  Island. 
1  still  plainly  see  the  hand  of  Providence  in  sending  me 
,,xi..-     w«.   ♦K^n.rh  ««  v«t  no ranid reformation  has ta- 

Jcen  place,  yet »  dawnbg  concern  for  religion  appear* 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


197 


Visible  in  many  minds,  and,  blessed  be  God)  some  are 
truly  awakened  out  of  the  sleep  of  sin.     Of  these  I  have 
formed   about  fifty  into  a  society,   and  have  put  them 
into   two  classes,   the   whites  into   one,  and    the   co- 
loured people  into  the  other.     You  will  be  pleased  td 
note  a  remarkable  diOerence  betwixt  this  and  the  other 
West-India   Islands.      Here  there  are   no   plantations, 
consequently  no  accumulation  of  negroes  to  any  parti- 
cular spot.     They  live  in  private  families,  one,  two,  or 
three  in  a  family,  up  and  down  the  Islands;  and  many 
of  their  masters  will  not  allow  them  any  time  to  come 
to  hear  the  word  of  God,  or  attend  any  meeting :     They 
have  not  even  the  sabbath-day.     And  could  they  attend 
in  the  country  parts  of  the  Island,  the  peoj.  3  would  not 
allow  them  to  come  into  the  same  house  with  them ;  so 
that  they  are  obliged  to  stand  and  hear  without.     Many 
of  the  respectable  white  people  allow  and  invite  me  to 
,preach  in  their  houses,  but  I  set  so  little  fruit,  thtt  my 
expectations   are   not   raised   high   from   that  quarter. 
Could  I  erect  a  little  chapel,  where  one  side,  at  least, 
could  be  set  apart  for  the  coloured  people,  then  I  should 
expect  much  greater  success  to  arise  from  the  mission. 
The  blacks,  though  very  wicked,  are  not  only  willing, 
but  desirous  to  hear  the  gospel,  and  as  soon  as  things 
are  placed  upon  a  proper  foundation,  I  expect  there  will 
be  a  flourishing  society  in  the  Island  of  Bermuda.     I 
think  I  can,  in  a  small  degree,  see  prejudice  wearing 
away  from  the  minds  of  some  of  the  white  people.     Per- 
haps there  is  not  an  Island  in  the  Western  Ocean  where 
the  people  have  been  more  prejudiced  against  the  Metho- 
dists than  they  have  in  this  Island;  and  no   wonder^ 
for  it  was  even  asserted  by  the  Attorney  General,  on 
Mr.  Stephenson's  trial,  that  the  Methodists  were  the 
cause   of  the   rebellion  in  America,  the  revolution  in 
France,  and  tne  disturbances  in  Ireland.     Now   what 
i£ia-.s  oj  an  idea  must  an  ignorant  people  have  of  Ua  from 
this  misrepresentation?  Would  you  think  it,  that  ih» 

R2 


ns 


MEMOIRS  OV 


person  chiefly  concerned  in   making  the  penal   law 
against  ua,  is  now  in  jail  ?  And  what  makes  the  event 
remarkable)  is  a  peculiar  coincidence  ot  circumstances. 
Mr.  Stephenson   was  imprisoned  for  not  obeying   the 
«Wb?  tiiia  ia  precisely  what  this  person  is  im|)risoned 
for-  and  he  is  confined  in  exactly  the  same  room  in  the 
same  jail.     Surely  there  is  a  God  that  judgeth  in  the   . 
earth,  and  he  hath  a  retaliating  providence  even  m  this 
world.     The  wicked  do  not  always  triumph  even  here, 
and  what  a  book  will  be  unlolded  at  the  day  of  judg- 

mentt  ^  •  u* 

Sometime  ago,  I  wrote  requesting  my  name  migat 
stand  on  the  Minutes  as  having  permission,  in  a  little 
while,  to  return  home.     But  either  my  letter  dit^  not 
come  to  hand,  or  no  notice  was  taken  of  my  reqUest.     I 
did  not  wish  to  leave  this  Island  destitute  ;  for  among 
the  hundreds  of  young  preachers  in  England,  local  and 
itinerant,  I  did  not  doubt  but  some  one  would  be  iounU 
willing  to  relieve  me.     But,  if  there  is  not  a  young  man 
in  En<rland  who  is  willing  vj  put  his  life  in  his  hand,  and 
come  out  to  this  little  Island,  1  am  willing  to  make  it  my 
hermUage,  and  live  and  die  here.     1  like  to  preach  in 
a  chapel  as  well  as  any  of  my  young  brethren.     1  liHe  to 
have  large  congregations  to  preach  to.     I  love  to  read 
new  books,  1  love  to  be  respected  and  popular,  I  love 
to  be  delivered  from  the  tedious  necessity  of  for  ever  dwell- 
ing upon  first  principles.    But  if  1  have  not  more  love  to 
Christ  and  his  cause  than  all  thepe  things,  I  am  not  ht 
for  the  kingdom  of  heaven.     I  am  truly  sorry,  Sir,  to 
see,  that  after   all  you  have  done  and  suffered  in  the 
cause  of  Missions,  so  few  of  my  young  brethren  are  wiU 
Uhg  to  second  the  noble  efforts,  by  becoming  active  mis- 
sionaries  where  you  have  opened  the  way.     Shall  I  live 
to  see  a  declension  of  zeal  ?  and  a  love  to  fashion,  ho- 
natir.  and  curious  knowledge,  prevail  in  any  part  of  the 
connexion  ?  God  forbid  !  Though  I  am  a  young  Me^a- 
tst,  you  cannot  think  how  it  pains  me,  when  I  read  wi 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


199 


the  Minutes  of  one  old  preacher  dropping  off  alter  ano- 
ther :  Mather  gone  !  Hopper  gone !  Pawson  gone  t  If  I 
stay  abroad  a  few  more  years,  1  shall  have  no  more  rea- 
sons for  coming  home !  For  let  a  Coke,  a  Benson)  a 
Taylor,  a  Clarke^  a  Wood,  a  Moore,  &c.  &c.  be  add- 
ed to  the  number,  together  with  my  good  old  mother,  and 
,  then  my  magnets  being  withdrawn,  I  shall  lose  all  at- 
traction towards  my  native  country)  and  rest  content  to 
be  a  missionary  and  a  voluntary  exile  for  life !  I  hope 
you  will  pardon  the  length  of  this  scrawl,  and  believe 
me  to  be,  with  the  most  sincere  respect, 

Your  affeotionate  Son  in  the  Gospel, 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


As  my  knowledge  of  the  country  and  people  increas- 
ed, I  found  out  all  those  worthy  persons  who  had  taken 
Mr.    Stephenson   by  the   hand ;  as  also  a   number   of 
others,  who  treated  me  with  the  greatest  possible  kind- 
ness,  and  invited  me   to  preach   in   thefr  houses.     Of 
these  I  would  mention  Stowe  Wood,  Esq.  in  Hamilton, 
who  proved  both  a  true  friend  to  my  family,  and  patron 
to  the  Mission.     Mrs.  Albouy  and  family,  though  a  wi- 
dow, treated  me  with  the  greatest  possible  kindness  and 
attention,  and  invited  me  to  preach  in  her  house:    to 
this  worthy  family  I  consider  myselfas  under  everlasting 
obligations.     Mrs.  Thompson,  Mrs.  Swan,  Mrs.  Burcfa* 
Mr.  John  I.  Masters,  captains  White  and  Walker,  and 
Mr.  Richard  Wood,  merchant,  Mr.  Williams  at  Brack- 
ish Pond,  with  captain  Thomas  Newbold  and  family  of 
the  same  place,  all  deserve  my  warmest  thanks.     Mr. 
Washington,  from  the  Island  of  Nevis,  was  my  faithful 
friend  through  all. the  mission.     In  St.    George,   Mrs. 
Grant)  Miss  Molly  Surges,  brothers  John  Darrel)  and 
Richard  Higgs,  with  a  number  more,  were  truly  kind. 
From  the  black  and  coloured  people,  both  in  and  out  of 
lociety,   I  experienced  much  kindness. — My  worthy 


200 


MEMOIRS  OV 


'*^'''' 


friend  William  Elkina,  in  Hamilton,  rendered  me  many 
services;  and  from  his  uncle,  William  Millar,  Esq. 
agent  of  transports  and  prisoners  of  war,  I  received  much 
respect.  Indeed,  both  the  inhabitant's  of  Spanish  Point,, 
the  town  of  Hamilton,  and  also  Brackish  Pond,  treated 
me  with  kindness  and  hospitality.  The  first  place,  save 
St.  George,  in  which  I  preached,  was  the  house  of  Mr. 
Washington,  at  Spanish  Point,  (so  called  from  its  being 
the  place  where  the  Spaniards  first  landed  when  they 
discovered  the  Island)  I  was  also  invited  to  preach  at 
several  other  places,  Brackish  Pond,  Somerset,  Heron 
Bay,  and  Hamilton,  where  the  chapel  is  built,  and  the 
mission  es^blished.  To  this  place  I  was  directed  by  a 
particular  providence,  to  move  in  the  spring  of  1809, 
and  from  whence  I  addressed  the  following  letter  to  Dr, 
Thomas  Coke. 


Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Joshua  Marsden,  Missionary  t 
to  the  Rev»  Dr.  Coke, 

Hamilton^  Island  of  Bermuda,  April  1 3, 1 809r 

BEV.   AND    DEAE   SIR, 

You  will,  doubtless,  wish  to  receive  information  re- 
specting my  mission,  and  the  situation  of  affairs  in  these 
Islands.  The  prospect  is  not  the  most  pleasing,  and  yet 
the  Lord  has  wrought  a  great  work  on  the  minds  of  some. 
I  have  formed  sixty  into  society,  none  of  whom  were 
ever  in  society  before.  And  yet  I  believe  the  perfect 
establishment  of  a  Methodist  mission  will  be  a  work  of 
much  time,  difficulty,  and  expense.  I  have  got  a  sub- 
scription set  on  foot,  to  build  a  small  place  of  worship  in 
the  country  at  Hamilton,  as  there  will  be  no  extensive 
good  done  in  the  Island  among  the  blacks,  till  one  is 
erected,  from  the  circumstance  which  1  mentioned  in  my 
last,  that  the  white  people  will  not  allow  them  to  come 
and  hear  in  houses  where  they  themselves  assemble. 


In  Hai 

Seorge, 

me;  but 

spirit   of 

has  been 

embargo 

hundreds 

have  bee 

without  I 

if  I  coul( 

submit  \ 

with  bre 

Lord  wi! 

and  beni 

Thet 

me  wish 

fly  awaj 

situatioi 

on  the  I 

ciety  ha 

think  li! 

little  ch 

revenue 

penses 

school  f 

The 

which 

Method 

vourabl 

no  mon 

came  t< 

his  foot 

May  h( 

sake ! 

soon  as 

clraw  u 


JOSHUA  MARSDEK. 


20 


In  Hamilton,  the  only  town  in  the  Island,  besides  St. 
George,  God  has  raised  up  some  who  wish  to  belriend 
me ;  but  amongst  many  there  still  appears  a  wonderful 
spirit  of  opposition.  And  yet  the  Island,  this  winter, 
has  been  in  a  state  of  actual  famine.  As  the  American 
embargo  has  prevented  supplies  coming  from  that  quarter, 
hundreds  upon  the  Island,  as  well  as  myself  and  familyj 
have  been  obliged  to  live  upon  dried  cod  fish,  frequently 
without  a  bit  of  butter  to  render  it  palatable.  However, 
if  I  could  see  the  cause  of  God  flourish,  I  could  freely 
submit  to  every  privation,  and,  I  think,  be  contented 
with  bread  and  water.  I  have  a  blessed  hope  that  the 
Lord  will  arise  and  plead  his  own  cause  in  this  wicked 
and  benighted  place. 

The  privileges  of  my  English  brethren  often  make 
me  wish  that  I  had  the  wings  of  a  dove  that  I  might 
fly  away  and  participate  of  them.  With  regard  to  ray 
situation  in  temporal  matters,  as  yet  I  must  be  dependent 
on  the  funds  at  home.  The  coloured  people  in  the  so- 
ciety have  it  not  in  their  power  to  do  much,  and  others 
think  little  about  the  matter.  Nor  do  I  expect,  till  a 
little  chapel  is  erected,  to  be  able  to  raise  any  regular 
revenue  or  salary.  1  hope,  however,  in  future,  my  ex- 
penses will  be  less,  as  my  wife  has  begun  to  keep  a 
school  for  girls,  at  the  request  of  a  number  of  people. 

The  want  of  books  is  another  serious  difficulty  under 
which  I  labour;  for  the  people  know  nothing  of  the 
Methodists  but  by  hearsay,  and  that  is  of  the  most  unfa- 
vourable nature;  and, you  may  depend  upon  it,  there  were 
no  more  traces  of  Methodism,  or  heart  religion,  when  I 
came  to  this  Island,  than  if  no  missionary  had  ever  set 
his  foot  upon  it.  But  the  Lord  hath  begun  a  blessed  work. 
May  he  carry  it  on  in  a  glorious  manner,  for  his  mercy's 
sake  I  I  have  lately  drawn  upon  you  for  20Z.  and  as 
soon  as  I  begin  to  build  the  little  chapel,  I  shall  have  to 
^raw  upon  you  ^gain,  as  I  have  only  been  able  to  get 


202 


ATEMOIRS  OF 


subscriptions  to  the  amount  of  1802.  sterling;*  whereas 
at  the  lowest  calculation,  it  will  require  from  260  to 
3002.  to  erect  it.  When  it  is  finished  1  shall  expect,  by 
the  blessing  of  God,  to  see  something  done  towards  a  more 
extensive  reformation  both  among  blacks  and  whites. 
May  the  blessed  Lord  carry  on  his  own  blessed  work. 
I  am,  with  sentiments  of  respect, 
Rev.  Sir,  your  affectionate  Son, 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 

P.  S.  That  you  may  have  some  knowledge  how  spa- 
ringly I  have  lived,  considering  the  ej^treme  Ingh  price 
of  provisions,  I  have  sent  you  an  account  of  the  current 
price  of  sundry  articles  of  food  in  the  Island.  Indeed 
the  state  of  things  this  winter  haa  been  very  little  better 
than  absolute  famine. 

Current  prices  of  provisions,  &c,  in  Bermuda. 


Fresh  Beef,    -    - 
MuttoU)      .    -    - 
Veal,     -    -    -    - 
Pork,     -    -    -    - 
Fresh  Butter  -    - 
Hams,    -    -    -     - 
Prime  Pork,    -    - 
Flour)    -    -    -    - 
Kye  flour,  (none,) 
Rice,      -    -  --    - 
Corn,    -    -    •    - 
Muscovado  Sugar, 
Loaf,  -    -  do. 


s,  d.        8.  d, 

•  1  8    to   2  0  per  lb. 

•  2  0  to  2  4  do. 
.    2  0    to    2  4  do. 

-  1  8  to  2  0  do. 
.40  do. 
.    3  0    to    3  4  do. 

-  38  to  40  dollars  per  barrel. 
.    30  to  36  do. 

8  to  12  do.  per.  hundred. 
\L  3s.  Ad,  per  bushel. 
7  to  8  dollars  per  cwt. 
2s.  Zd,  to  35.  4</.  per.  lb. 


•  ThiB  subscription  was  afterwards  aujrmeuted  to  upwards  of 


9vvv  >i«^(uiigi' 


^% 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN.  203 

s»    d.         s,    3, 
Soap  in  boxes,    -    25.  8rf.  to  3*.  Qd,  per.  lb. 
Candles  (mould)  in  do.  As.  per.  lb. 
Cheese,      -     -     -     3s.  Ad.  do. 
American  Butter,     As.  Od.  do. 
Coffee,  -    -    -     -     2*.  0//.  to  25.  6rf.  do. 
Cocoa,  -    -,   -    -     'is.  9d.  to  25.  Ad.  do. 
Currency  here,  65.  Sd.  to  the  dollar. 


\ 


In  the  ensuing  May,  I  wrote  the  following  Letter  to 
the  Rev.  Joseph  Benson. 


Extract  of  a  Idler  from  Mr.  Joshua  Marsden^  Missionary^ 
in  Bermuda^  to  Mr.  Joseph  Benson. 

Hamilton,  Bermuda,  May  20, 1809. 

SEAR   AND    REiPECTED    SIR, 

With  respect  to  the  mission  at  Bermuda,  it  does  not, 
as  yet,  afford  so   pleasing  a  prospect,  as  some  of  the 
other  transatlantic  Isles;  yet   blessed  be   God,   though 
one  of  the  last  in  receiving  the  gospel,  I  hope  it  will  not 
be  last  in  a  moral  point  of  view.     It  is  true,  the  full  es- 
tablishment of  a  flourishing  mission  here,  will  be  a  work 
of  time,  and  perhaps  the  principal  end  that  will  be  an- 
swered by  my  coming  to  the  Islaml,  will  be  to  pliick  up 
the  hurtful  weeds  of  prejudice,  with  which  the  place  was 
completely  overgrown,  and  to  collect  a  small  society, 
perhaps  a  hundred  or  two,  and  as,  I  trust,  by  the  blessing 
of  God,  (for  I  am  now  about  it)  to  build  a  small  chapel, 
on  which,  it  appears,  the  favourable  issue  of  my  labourtv 
at  least  among  the  blacks  and  coloured  people,  willmuch 
depend;  for  the  people  will  not  allow  them  to  come  in- 
to   private  houses,  where  I  usually  preach.      O    the 
pride  of  the  human  heart,  to  despise  a  feliow-creature  for 


'   -H 


sii* 


iiEMoiRS  or 


the  colour  of  hU  Ain!    Yet  «.  it  i«.    The  poor  blacks 
Te  not  Seated  ..  l«.mortal  intelligence,,  but  mere  y  a. 
the  handmaid,  of  labour,  or  the  imlruments  ol  lust . 
*1  Snd  the  good  Bi^o,.  of  London  has  ^e-  -« U ng 
himself  for   the  good  of  poor  negrc«..  and  1  heart  .y 
wish  him  all  .ucces.  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.     Bu.  I 
cannot  find  that  the  persons  here,  to  «hom  some  of  the 
^mThlets  were  sen.,  have,  as  yet,  t»U-  -y  "o'.ce 
ilm   matter.     The  good  Prelate  is  mistaken  i   he  sup 
J^    wl  pan  »illbe  pursued  in  the  West-Indies  ,v  h 
STLt  msinterested  «al  that  --"'  '"  ^"V"" 
worthy  Bishop.     1  was  a  little  »»'P"f '»  "J™ 
tion  made  of  the  labours  and  success  of  Dr.  Coke  and  the 
Methodist  misaionarie.  in  these  »''«»^.';  .<=*"" 
owing  to  want  of  information,  or  prejudice  in  lh«  «or  by 
^Zl    1  am  firmly  persuaded    h"-^"'  '•-»,;' ^ 
Bishop's  design  ever  be  evented  m  the  W«    l"^  «'^^^^^ 
will  be  by  the  overlooked,  reproached,   and  despisea 

M  tll'fs.  Well,  glory  ^  ^^  Oo^'^''^ 'f^^J ^l 
cross  will  finally  prevail,  and  triumph  o;";"' "»''  "\ 
„y  of  the  sable  sons  of  Ham,  in  the  great  "»y.  ™  " T"^* 
?t  evident  by  whose  meana  they  were  brought  into  the 

"trhlltl;  better  for  the  Methodists,  that  they  ne- 
,er  h«l  any  kbt  Reverend,  Right  Honourable,  or  Most 
NobL  P atr'ons  it  bring,  back  the  state  of  "-  P;-  ;- 
Lreh,  When  religion  stood  u,^^^^^ 

not  P»»™»«8*\''","°^T^/e  implicity,  that  must  sup- 
grace,  hoi  j  «al,  and  pnmUive  »"P'>«  J'  jjj^j^^j. 

Z:  r eCtpnu^rlnraoa^wfll  ..aU  tl^m^ 

'Cty^er  continue  united^  ^^  '^^I'^^^^Z 

fc^lri  i»  K,i.oMe*nd  blessed  «  c.u^e?    Can  we  siag, 


JeSfiUA  iMTAASDEN. 


^0$ 


«« 0 !  for  B  trumpet's  voice,  on  all  the  world  to  eatl,**  and 
yet  not  be  willing  to  come  arid  call  the  poorforlorn  blacks 
from  darkness  to  God's  marrellous  light  ?  Shall  we  wish 
for  '^  A  thousand  tongues  to  sing  his  praise,"  and  yet  re- 
fuse one  life  to  promote  his  glory  among  our  Ethiopian 
brethren  ?    Shall,  in  this  respect,   the  Moravian  bte- 
thren  take  our  crown  ?  Shall  the  sailor,  the  merchant,  the 
adventurer,  the  traveller,  the  soldier,  do  more  for  a  living, 
for  interest,  speculation,  knowledge,  or  honour,  than  we 
for  the  glory  of  God  ?    O  that  we  might  more  than  ever 
arise,  and  shake  ourselves  from  the  dust,  and  go  forth  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord!    Let  me  entreat  you,  my  dear 
Sir,  to  do  all  you  possibly  can  to  send  me  a  few  Testa- 
ments.    Many  of  the  blacks  and  coloured  people  can 
read  a  little,  and  this  Island  abounds  with  extremely 
poor  white  people;    the  want  of  these  is  inexpressibly 
great.     May  the  Lord  open  the  way  for  the  streams  that 
flow  from  the  Fountain  of  life  and  truth,  to  water  this 
most  barren  Island.    Let  me  entreat  jou  also  to  grant  us 
an  interest  in  your  most  fervent  prayers,  that  God  would 
pour  his  Spirit  upon  this   proud,   worWIy,  and  wicked 
place.    With  Ibve  to  all  the  brethren  in  London, 
I  remain. 
Your  affectionate  Son  in  the  gospel, 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


(to   which    1   RECEIVED  THE   FOLLOWING   ANSWER.) 

London,  Scptcinhcr  Uth,  }S09, 

MT  VERY  DEAR  BROTHER, 

Your  favour  of  May  20th,  by  the  bark  Mary,  Capt. 
Basden,  master,  came  duly  to  hand;  and  I  am  glad  that 
I  have  an  op|»ortunity  of  acknowledging  the  receipt  of 
it,  and  thankine  vou-for  i*  hw  fho  aom.  .u:^  ...l.^l  ♦ 
Have  learned  this  morning  is  to  be  ready  to  sail  to-mo^ 

'S 


^■.',,i^-.,^:::^.:i,s.i-''iK*it)^..^i!-.^ 


?06 


MEMOIRS  OF 


i^ 


WW  direct  to  Bermuda.  Be  assured,  my  dear  brother, 
I  am  alwayselad  to  hear  from  you,  and  publish  an  ex- 
tract of  mosTof  your  letters  in  our  Magazine;  and  I 
should  certainly  answer  all  your  letters  were  1  not  strait- 
ened for  time,  and  obliged  to  omit  many  things,  which  1 
Bhould  otherwise  think  it  my  duty  to  attend  to,  in  order 
that  I  may  fulfil  my  duty  in  matters  of  a  still  greater  im-    . 

portance.  .    ,1.  x  ii.    »     a 

1  think  it  now  appears  pretty  evident,  that  the  Lord 
hae  sent  you  to  Bermuda.  1  have  no  doubt  but  you  will 
be  enabled  through  the  divine  blessing  to  raise  a  society 
Qf  considerable  importance  io  the  Islaud,  and  to  spread 
the  light  of  the  gospel  among  both  whites  and  blacks.  I 
think  you  have  done  wisely  to  begin  erecting  the  sraa 
chapel  you  speak  of,  and  the  Missionary  Committee  will 
undoubtedly  afford  you  all  the  help  you  need,  in  order 
to  the  finishing  of  it.  I  hope  you  will  continue  m  the 
Island  till  the  work  be  established.  ,    ,    , ,.    ^ 

You  express  your  surpHse  and  sorrow,  that  at  the  Con- 
ference in  1808,  some  of  the  West  India  Islands  shouVi 
be  left  without  missionaries.      You    will   see   by  the 
minutes  of  this  year,  that  this  is  still  the  case.     Several 
of  the  islands  are  without  their  proper  complement  ol 
nreachers.     The  reason  of  this  is,  not  that  the  funds  fail ; 
but  it  is  because  men,  proper  for  the  work,  cannot  be 
obtained.     In  the  Novembef  Magazine,  I  shall  publish 
an  extract  from  yout  last  letter,  in  hopes  of  thereby  ex- 
oiting  the  zeal  of  some  of  our  young  men.— One  thing 
that  has  discouraged  many  of  them,  is  the  great  mortality 
that  has  attended  the  missionaries ;  together  with  the 
nersecution  in  Jamaica,  which  it  was  apprehended,  might 
extend  even  to  the  other  islands.    That  persecution  is 
now  at  an  end,  and  the  measures  taken  by  his  Majesty's 
eovernment  forbid  our  fears  of  its  returning.    But,  so 
many  of  the  missionaries  dying  in  some  of  the  Leeward 
Islands,  is  still  discouraging  to  thep. 

±  * 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


2d? 


Finding  this  morning  upon  inquiry,  that  you  have  not 
had  the  Magazine  for  18U8,  I  have  desired  Mr. 
Blanshard  to  send  you  them,with  those  of  the  present  year, 
to  the  end  of  October.  I  have  also  desired  him  to  send 
you  some  other  books.  He  says,  that  a  quantity  of 
Bibles,  and  some  other  books  you  ordered,  have  been 
already  sent  to  the  ship. 

You  may  depend  on  it,  my  dear  brother,  that  the  Com- 
mittee love  you,  pray  for  you,  and  entirely  approve  of 
your  conduct  as  a  missionary,  and  in  all  other  things,  as 
far  as  we  know  it ;  and  we  shall  be  always  ready  to  send 
you  such  books  as  you  want,  and  to  assist  you  in  your 
great  and  good  work  every  way  in  our  power. 

Since  my  return  from  Conference  a  fortnight  ago,  I 
have  been  exceedingly  busy,  and  am  so  still :  otherwise 
I  should  have  written  more  at  large.  Let  me  hear  from 
you  as  often  as  you  can  ;  and  write  particularly,  and  at 
large  to 

Your  very  affectionate  Brother, 

JOSKPH  BENSON. 


I  shall,  for  want  of  room,  be  obliged  to  omit  many  of 
the  other  epistles  that  formed  my  correspondence  with 
the  mission-committee  relative  to  the  Bermuda  mission — 
however,  I  deem  the  following  not  unworthy  a  place  in 
this  little  memoir. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Marsden,  missionary,  to  the 

Rev.  Dr.  Coke. 
Hamilton^  BermudUf  Nov.  14, 1810. 

»EV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, 

This  summer  has  been  a  time  of  uncomffion  sickness 

to  your  poor  missionary.     I  have  hardly  been  a  week 

free  from  the  dysentery  ;  sometimes  I  have  had  it  to  an 

alarming  degree.    Indeed,  had  I  availed  myself  of  the 


208 


MEMOIRS  OF 


opinions  of  doctors  on  the  fiubject,  there  is  Iwrdly  one 
in  Bermuda,  but  would  have  advised  me  to  quit  the  Isl- 
and ;  as  it  is  doubtful  whether,  after  being  so  long  resi- 
dent iu  a  cold  climate,  I  should  continue  to  stand  the 
intensely  hot  summers  of  Bermuda.     You  will  recollect, 
that  in  our  hottest  days  here,  we  have  not  the  advantage 
of  an  east  wind  to  cool  the  fervours  of  a  scorching  sun. 
The  season  has  been  particularly  fatal  to  old  men;  Jus- 
tice Jones,  a  zealous  friend  to  the  cause  of  God,  died  a 
few  weeks  ago;  he  was  a  venerable  christian,  a  truly 
dignified  man,  an  excellent  scholar,  and  a  real  friend  to 
religious  liberty  and  universal  toleration.     As  an  elder, 
he  was_a  pillar  to  (he  Presbyterian  cause ;  he  was  a 
warm  affectionate  friend  to  the  Methodists,  and  showed 
the  world  how  amiable  the  gentleman,  the  scholar,  and 
Ihe  christian  are,  wlien  united  in  one.    His  death  gave 
the  last  finish  to  a  life  of  piety,  and  was  such  as  every 
one  had  cause  to  expect :  calm  and  resigned,  full  of  hoi)e 
and  heavenly  consolation.     I  visited  him  the  day  before 
lie  departed,  and  was  witness  to  that  sweet  display  of 
dying  godliness,  that  might  have  excited  Balaam's  wish 
from  the  lips  of  infidclUy  itself.    Mr.  Metson  preached 
his  funeral  sermon  to  a  considerable  number  of  gentle- 
men  and  respectable  inhabitants,  to  which  I  added  a 
ehort  testimony  to  the  memory  of  departed  excellence. 
Last  week  another  hoary  disciple  of  Christ  finished 
her  course,  aged  about  ninety-eight ;  she  was  a  follower 
of  Mr.  Whitfield,  when  he  visited  Bermuda,  about  sixty- 
five  years  ago,  and  went  up  and  down  the  Island  with 
him  in  his  evangelical   peregrinations.      One  hardly 
knew  which  to  admire  most  in  this  old  saint,  her  infant 
simplicity,  humiliating  weakness,  or  christian  patience, 
under  the  infirmities  of  near  an  hundred  years ;  she  was 
almost  deprived   of  every  faculty  but  that  of  praising 
and  waiting  upon  God ;  though  reduced  to  extreme  po- 
verty, to  a  skeleton,  to  a  miserable  cottage  in  the  midst 
of  a  wood,  with  only  an  a^ed  daughter  to  attc^U  upon  her, 


i^mJA  MAHdt)1SK. 


^(is 


ftiie  yihi  tbankrul,  contented,  resigned,  and  happy ;  whiclu 
yr'ith  the  artless  simplicity  of  her  christian  experieac.«) 
rendered  her  a  singular  and  happy  phenomenon. 

To  the  above  I  may  add  Justice  Pennison,  another 
friend  to  the  mission ;  this  old  man  had  for  four  or  five 
years  been  jading  through  the  black  sea  of  despair,  and 
on  those  stormy  waters  had  been  sorely  buffeted  with 
billows  of  fierce  temptation—his  death  was  sudden.  I 
bope  he  changed  a  stormy  sea  for  a  quiet  haven. 

Our  chapel  is  at  last  finished,  and  supimsed  to  be  one  of 
the  neatest  and  most  commodious  in  the  West  Indies  ;  it 
bas  a  good  gallery^  and  a  snug  little  vestry ;  the  congre- 
gation is  upon  the  increase,  though  1  have  laboured  un- 
der some  difficulties  this  summer,  relative  to  the  blacks; 
the  great  aversion  of  many  in  power,  (the  Governor  be- 
ing  gone  home,)  rose  almost  to  a  persecution;  but,  thank 
God,  the  storm  is  allayed;  Our  society  in  town  is  about 
sixty,  and  in  the  country  about  eighty  ;  thirty  of  whom 
are  white  people,  and  the  rest  free  people  of  colour,  and 
slaves;  some  of  the  whites  are  respectable,  the  rest  in 
the  middling  stations  of  life, — ^but  as  yet,  there  is  no 
provision  made  for  a  missionary.  The  collections  in 
the  chapel,  and  all  I  can  scrape  elsewhere,  go  to  defray 
the  expense,  and  coyer  tbe  debt  upon  the  building ; 
which,  as  soon  as  clear,  will  raise  a  very  handsome  sala- 
ry for  a  minister ;  and  I  again  request,  that  a  missionary 
may  be  sent  out  as  soon  as  possible.  I  see  no  reasona- 
ble objection  young  men  can  make  to  coming  on  such  a 
mission  as  this;  particularly,  when  every  thing  is  got 
ready  to  their  hands.  The  backwardness  of  the  junior 
preachers  to  got  out  on  missions,  has,  of  late,  filled  me 
with  melancholy  ideas,  and  with  some  fears,  that  the 
missions  may  finally  fail,  for  want,  not  of  pecuniary  help, 
but  of  the  true  missionary  spirit ;  and  I  often  think,  that 
if  p^r  brethren  at  the  conference,  do  not  take  some  new 
steps  to  this  purpose,  in  the  end,  none  will  be  found 
n^ilUpg  to  go.    How  lamentable  it  is  to  think,  th»t  m 

2S  .       '      ' 


210 


MEMOIRS  OF 


many  of  the  West  India  Islands  should  be  destilote  of 

christian  instruction;  to  say  nothing  of  bow  ill  some  of 

those  places  are  supplied,  where  missionaries  have  been 

established.     O  Sir  I  do  all  in  your  power  to  help  these 

forlorn  sheep.    In  my  opinion,  posterity  will  record  the 

name  of  Coke,  with  those  of  Wilberforce  and  Clarkson, 

as  frit  tids  and  benefactors  of  the  African  race.     They, 

as  instrumentp   "q  the  hands  of  God,  benevolently  broke 

their  natraral;  ^  ja  hi    3  broken  their  moral  and  spiritual 

bonds— th.  ^  have  bp-a  the  means  of  placing  them  in 

the  rank  of  men ;  you  of  christians— they  said,  "  Afnca, 

be  free;"  you  aay, "  Africa,  be  pious."    Go  on,  dear  Sir, 

and  the  Lord  will  reward  you,  while  thousands  of  happy 

Africans  shall  rise  up,  and  call  you  blessed.    With  my 

affectionate  regard  for  yourself,  and  love  to  all  the  coin- 

mitlee  and  preachers, 
*  I  remain,  dear  Sir, 

*  Your  obliged  servant,  find 

Truly  affectionate  bon  in  the  gospel, 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


The  society  continued  to  increase ;  many  most  respect- 
able people  constantly  attended  t^o  chapel.  The  fol- 
lowing letter,  as  it  contains  the  l  '?  or  routine  of  my 
duty,  may  not  be  unacceptable  to  ui^,      w.^w 


Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Joshua  Marsden,  to  Mr. 

Benson, 

Hamilton^  Bermuda,  May  15,  1811. 

aEV.   AJrt)   DEAR   SIR, 

ElfissPd  be  God,  the  work  in  Bermuda  is  in  a  good 
atate.  Some  are  thirsting  for  the  weil  of  life;  several 
liave  obtained  a  clear  witness  of  the  pardoning  Iotc  oi 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


211 


Jesus,  and  the  eociety  has  incre    ei!  to    bout  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty.   It  is  divided  in^o  sf'ven  classes,  five  of 
blacks,  and  two  of  whites.     The  whites  are  truly  zeal- 
ous, and  though  it  is  like  changing  caste  in  the  East  In- 
dies to  join  the  society,  yet  many  can  hardly  be  restrain- 
ed by  their  relations  from  coming  amongst  us,  so  mighti- 
ly does  the  word  of  God,  preached  in  the  chnpel,  affect 
their  consciences.   Our  stated  congregation  is  about  three 
hundred,  two  hundred  of  whom  are  some  of  the  most  re- 
spectable white  people  in  the  Island.     One  of  the  prin- 
pal  merchants,  a  magistrate,  and  all  his  family,  are  com- 
municants ;  and  his  lady,  who  has  become  a  precious, 
pious  woman,   has  joined  th**  society.     My  routine  of 
duty  is  as  follows :     I  preach  at  Hamilton  on  the  Lord's 
day   morning;    after  morning  preaching,  I  sometimes 
ride    to  Bayley's    Bay,  or    Harris's   Bay,   preach    in 
the  afternoon;  return  and  preach  at   Hamilton  in  the 
evening.     On  Monday  evening  I  meet  the  class  of  white 
people;  on  Tuesday  evening  preach  to  the  blacks  in  the 
ehapel ;  en  Wednesday  evening  meet  the  class  of  blacks ; 
on  Thur>.i-.  y  af  ernoon  p'-each  to  the  whites  in  the  chap- 
el ;  on  l^r  jh'» J-  i  ride  to  ot.  George,  and  preach  on  Fri- 
day, Saturday,  and  Sunday,  and  meet  St.  George  soci- 
ety.    I  also  sometimes  preach  occasional   sermons  at 
Spanish  Point,  Brackish  Pond,  David's  Island,  Crow 
Lane,  and  Heron  Bay. 

A  little  while  ago  the  blacks  that  could  read  being 
destitute  of  hymn-books,  I  published  a  little  pamphlet,  a 
copy  of  which  I  have  sent  ypu.  The  chief  justice  re- 
quested a  copy  to  be  sent  him,  of  which  he  was  pleased 
to  speak  in  handsome  terms. 

Since  my  last,  Mr.  Edward  Masters,  a  constant  attend- 
ant at  the  chapel,  died  in  peace  and  comfort.  He  had 
been  a  master  of  a  vessel,  and  coming  home  sick,  God 
was  pleased  to  overrule  the  affliction  for  his  good.  As 
anon  as  he  could  ffo  out,  he  came  to  the  chapel;  the 
word  was  made  a  blessing  to  his  soul,  and  he  became 
very  zealous,  warning,  exhorting,  and  JnyitiDg  o(hei» 


■MMMhm 


5^12 


fi^pfams  OP 


fe 


In  a  little  while  Up  had  a  relapse,  and  soon  ^ft?r  seiitCot 
nie  to  iidmioister  hiin  the  Lord's  sui»per,  whi^h  he  re- 
ceived M  the  pledge  pt  eternal  happiness,  rejoicing  in  the 
topd.  It  waa  a  most  refreshing  tinje.  In  a  dpy  or  two 
after,  he  moBt  triurapjiautly  paseed  into  the  world  of  hap- 
py spirit?.  /       , ,  r .     1 

For  about  three  months  last  past,  our  dear  pld  friend, 
Mr.  Pallas,  has  been  laid  upon  a  bed  of  pain,  and  is  now- 
just  at  the  gates  of  Paradise.     His  soul,  though  low  ^t 
first  fcom  family  trials,  soon  rose  above  that  heavy  at- 
mosphere to  the  clear  sunshine  of  gospel  light;  apd  now 
for  about  three  months,  though  bed  ridden  and  worn  to  a 
skeleton,  he  has  had  full  prospect  of  the  port,  and  has 
rejoiced  unspeakably.  Many  have  found  »  blessing  from 
his  dying  testimony,  but  in  my  next  J  expect  to  be  able 
to  send  you  a  fuller  account.    In  the  mean  while,  I  re- 
quest  that  you  will  remember  me  to  all  the  committee, 
ana  to  the  conference,  whose  faithful  son  and  servant 
ro^y  the  liord  enable  me  to  live  and  die. 

I   am,  dear  Sir, 
Your  most  obliged  and  affectionate,  though 

Unworthy  fellow-labourer  in  the  Gospel  of  Jesasi 

JOSHUA  MAHSDEN* 


Thus,  after  being  four  years  in  the  Somerstsland^j 
with  what  success  the  foregoing  narrative  has  shown, 
Biy  successor  arrived  from  England  in  the  month  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1812,  and  o^  the  11th  of  April  following  I  em- 
barked in  the  iiritish  Packet  for  New-York,  to  call  for 
my  partner  ami  children,  ami  avail  myself  of  the  first 
opportunity  for  England  ;-but  alast  in  this  1  wasdisap- 
pointed.  When  we  arrived  off  Sandy-Hook,  the  pilot 
who  came  on  board  informed  us,  that  there  was  an  em- 
bargoin  the  ports  <m  the  Uuitea  staies.  xk-  ^^"- 
succeeded  the  foHowing  June  with  a  declaration  of  war. 
m  that  1  have  been  delaiued  amoag  my  brethren  in  tJie 


•'1, ; 


JOSHUA  MARSPEN, 


218 


United  States  till  the  present  hour,  thankful  that  I  am 
allowed  to  preach  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  1 
iiave  received  many  tokens  of  unaffected  kindness  from 
the  society  of  New-York  ;  to  the  Bishops  I  am  under  ob- 
ligations I  have  not  words  to  express.  To  the  Trustees 
of  the  New- York  society  1  shall  ever  feel  grateful ;  they 
have  known  the  heart  of  a  stranger,  and  used  hospitality 
without  grudging ;  their  kindness  has  kept  me  from  be- 
ing burthensome  to  my  brethren  in  England,  and  made 
an  impression  on  my  heart  that  can  only  be  lost  with 
the  power  of  recollection.  My  situation  in  the  United 
States  has  been  critical  and  delicate ;  but  while  some 
have  wished  to  embitter  my  stay  with  harsh  reflections, 
hard  names,  and  dry,  political  discussions,  there  have 
not  been  wanting  others,  who  have  politely  and  affec- 
tionately endeavoured  to  make  me  feel  as  much  at  home 
as  possible. 

With  regard  to  my  private  and  public  sentiments,  1 
can  truly  ?ay,  as  in  the  presence  of  the  Lord, 

Homo  sum ;  humam  niVw/,  a  me  alienum  puio. 
I  am  no  man's  enemy,  no  nation's  enemy,  but,  I  tsust* 
a  friend  to  all  the  human  race. 

I  wish  to  live  and  die  in  the  faith  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
and  the  great  truths  contained  in  his  holy  word.  But  I  am 
in  general  no  friend  to  controversy ;  most  of  my  opinions 
respecting  divine  things  may  be  found  in  the  foregoing  pa- 
ges.    With  regard  to  the  great  controversy  that  has  so 
long  agitated  the  christian  worid,  I  have  been  called  a 
Calvinist  by  rigid  Arminians,  and  by  Antinomian-Cal- 
vinists  a  Pelagian.    In  my  sentiments  1  wish  to  take  the 
middle  ground,  as  I  am  persuaded  the  truth  lies  betwixt 
both  extremes ;  the  rigid  Calvinist  is  in  danger  of  Anti- 
monianism,  and  the  rigid  Arminian  may  fall  into  Semi- 
Pelagianism.     I  would  adopt  Calvinism  so  far  as  to  se- 
cure to  Christ  all  the  honour  and  glory  of  man's  redemp- 
tion and  salvation ;  and  Arminianism  to  secure  the  purity, 
hoiineBs,  and  sjiiriiuftiit;^  of  the  fliorai  law,  aut]  the  ho!l= 


I 


2t4 


MEMOIRS    OF 


ness  of  the  gospel.  I  would  say  to  Arminians,  Christ  is  mf 
only  foundation,  and  to  Calvinists,  holiness  is  my  only 
superstructure.  To  the  former  1  would  say,  Christ  given 
for  me;  to  the  latter,  Christ  wrought  in  me.     1  know 
there  is  a  danger  of  boasting  in  Christ,  till  we  neglect 
holiness—we  may  also  so  speak  of  ourown  works,  as  to  su- 
persede the  Redeemer.    But  God  forbid,  that  we  should 
ever  pluck  one  jewel  from  his  glorious  Tiara ;  and  hea- 
ven forbid  the  thought,  that  we  should  ever  make  Christ 
a  minister  of  sin.     I  firmly  believe  that  Christ  died  for 
all— that  all  mankind  have  an  ofifer  of  grace,  and  may  be 
saved,  according  to  the  dispensation  under  which  they 
live.  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons,  but  in  every  nation, 
he  that  feareth  God  and  worketh  righteousness,  is  ac- 

cepted  of  him. 

My  earnest  wish  and  prayer  is,  that  religion,  pure  and 
undefiled  religion,  may  spread  to  the  ends  of  the  earth ; 
all  institutions  to  promote  this  gives  me  real  heart-felt 
pleasure.     The  prosperity  of  Zion  is  a  subject,  in  which 
I  trust,  I  have  a  large  interest—hence  I  have  ever  con- 
sidered christian  missions  as  the  noblest  institutions  of 
socfety,  and  in  the  hands  of  a  wise  Providence,  capable 
of  doing  infinite  good ;  whoever  encourages  them  will 
doubtless  prosper.     Pray  ye  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem, 
they  shall  prosper  who  love  her.     The  exertions  making 
in  this  line,    certainly   indicate,   that  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom  is  gloriously  near.    If  the  world  is  to  be  reform- 
ed,  God  will   doubtless  employ  his  Son— his  Son  will 
einploy  the  gospel  as  the  brightest  transcript  of  his  di- 
vine, gracious,  and  holy  nature.    Ministers  must  be  em- 
ployed in  this  divine  work ;  so  that  in  the  result,  or  fi- 
nal issue,  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  will  be  hc^ured  as 
the   blessed  means   of  reclaiming  a  guilty  world,  and 
bringing  men  back  to  the  true  knowledge  of  God, 

The  pulpit,  when  the  satirist  has  at  last, 
Strutting  and  vapouring  in  an  empty  tjchouj. 
Spcat  all  his  force,  and  made  »o  proselyte— 


JOSHl/A  MARSDEN. 


215 


I  say,  the  pulpit,  iu  the  sober  use 

Of  its  legitimate,  peculiar- powers, 

Must  stand  acknowledgM,  while  the  world  shall  stand, 

The  most  eflPectual  guard,  support,  and  ornament  of  virtueV 

/  COWPER. 


cause. 


I  venerate   those   holy   and  faithrul  souls  who  have 
volunteered  Iheir  services  to  spread  the  gospel  in  dis- 
tant climates  and  foreign  lands;  when  I  read  their  la- 
bours, my  heart  glows  wi5u'ame;  I  sometimes  wish  to 
be  upon  the  plains  ot   Hindostan,  the  island  of  Ceylon, 
or  the  Cape  of  Good  Hopp;  when  I  hear  of  their  suc- 
cess, I  feel  a  sentiment  of  true  gratitude^  when  of  their 
disappointment,  I  join  them  in  saying,  The  will  of  the 
Lord  be  done.     By  means  of  missions,  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  shall  be  spread,  and  his  salvation  extend  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth. 

Perhaps  after  having  been  thirteen  years  on  missions, 
such  is  my  wish  to  serve  the  cause  of  religion,  that  were 
I  safely  to  arrive  in  England,  a  strong  emotion  of  this 
kind  might  again  induce  me  to  spend  the  remainder  of 
my  life  in  this  honourable  and  blessed  service. 

With  regard  to  my  christian  ex{ierience,  it  may  be' sup- 
posed, that  as  a  missionary,  I  always  enjoyed  a  sense  of 
the  presence  and  love  of  God ;  and  that  1  always  walked 
in  close  communion  with  him :  that  I  have  at  seasons,  en- 
i  joyed  all  these,  is  strictly  true  ;  my  light  was  strong,  my 
I  hope  was   bright,  and  my  soul  has  been  watered  from 
the  fountain  of  goodness— .l)ut  I  have  often  been  brought 
into  dulness  by  worldly  conversation;   levity  has  not 
unfrequently  involved  me  in  condemnation,  and  a  ne- 
glect of  secret  prayer  has  made  me  dragon  dull  and  hea- 
vily.   Perhaps,  reading  all  kinds  of  books  has  not  had 
the  best  effect  upon  my  mind.     I  have  sometimes  suf- 
fered loss  by  not  rising  early  ;  and  too  great  a  tenderness 
or  fear  of  giving  offence  in  reproving  others,  has  proved 
a  snare  to  my  own  soul ;  anger  has  always  been  one  of 
pay  Uebetiiieuts,  and  hasuitea  deeply  wounUcil  iHy  peace  ^ 


.itinmitinuiimt 


M 


IJtEMOIRS  ^F 


Uromptly,  and  perhaps  imprudenty,  speaking  my  mind,  as 
it  is  called,  has  sometimes  brought  me  into  great  trouble  ; 
the  want  of  spirituality  in  my  conversation  has  frequent- 
ly hindered  my  preaching  and  labours  from  being  as  use- 
ful  as  they  otherwise  might.     I  know  a  minister  of  the 
gospel  should  be  solemn  and  serious;  yet  not  melancho- 
ly and  morose— however  cheerful  he  is,  he  should  set 
God   before  his  eyes ;  the  people  are  watching  every 
V  word— yet  I  have  often  been  delightfully  drawn  out  in 
prayer  towards  God ;  ray  heart  has  been  melted  into  all 
holy  desire  to  be  fully  conformed  to  the  divine  will,  and 
humbled  in  the  very  dust,  with  a  deep  consciousness  of 
unfaithfulness  and  remaining  depravity,  taking  refuge  in 
the  blood  of  Chris.,  as  my  only  sanctuary  from  the  divme 
displeasure,  and  as  my  only  hope  of  the  divine  com- 
placency.     Sometimes  I  have  thought  that   I   had  no 
.  right   to  lean  on  Christ,  unless  I  were  more  fully  con- 
formed  to    him;    a   consiousness  of  great   infirmities 
has  often  laid  the  axe  to  the  root  of  my  confidence— but 
then  I  thought,  if  I  have  sinned,  his  blood  is  the  only 
atonement;  whither  else  shall  I  go  but  to  him  ?  if  I  leave 
him  I  am  lost ;  if  1  can  but  touch  the  hem  of  his  garment, 
I  shall  be  saved;  hence   it  has  always  ministered  com- 
fort to  my  soul  to  reflect,  that  Christ  is  the  only  hope 
of  Israel,  the  only  fountain  of  life,  and  rock  of  my  salva- 
tion;  and  when  1  have  not  been  able  to  find  comfort  m 
any  thing  etee,  I  have  generally  found  it  when  medita- 
tins,  and  striving  to  act  faith  upon  Christ.  ■ 

Reading  the  holy  scriptures  has  proved  a  blessed 
means  of  quickening  and  enlightening  my  soul.  When 
most  engaged,  I  have  generally  found  the  greatest  rehsh 
for  the  worfl  of  God  :  secret  prayer,  and  a  love  for  the 
bible,  havi.,  gener.^lly  speaking,  been  marks  by  which  I 
have  judged  of  the  ebbing  and  flxAving  of  divine  grace 
in  my  soul.    For  two  things,  especially,  1  have  searched 

..  _  ..  -.^  ^_ »-  .  ^^.i»aai  anA  eomfoft :  bv  tWs  means  I 

bate  frequently  been  directed  with  wonderftil  cleamesi, 


'— -••ffliMWiBI-r!.. 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


21? 


I 


and  not  unfrequently  the  precious  promises  would  dart 
8uch  a  splendour  and  vital  sweetness  into  my  soul,  at 
enahled  me  to  say,  Thy  word  is  sweeter  to  my  taste 
than  honey,  or  the  honeycomb:  yea,  truly,  the  scrip- 
tures, when  applied  to  the  heart,  form  one  of  the  sweet- 
est feelings  the  man  can  boast.  A  pnilosopber  may  ad- 
mire the  bible  for  its  wisdom  and  morality ;  a  civilian 
for  its  jurisprudence  ;  a  poet  for  its  sublimity  and  figures, 
and  a  theologian  for  its  doctrine? — but  it  is  the  humble 
christian  that  reads  it  in  the  spirit  of  prayer,  who  seei 
through  the  veil ;  enters  the  holiest,  and  tastes  the  hid- 
den manna  of  God's  word. 

With  regard  to  worldly  enjoyments,  at  the  lowest  ebb 
of  divine   influence,  I  have  found  an  utter  impossibility 
of  being  happy  in  the  things  of  creation ;  if  my  mind, 
like  the  dove  of  Noah,  when  out  of  the  ark,  would  light 
upon  this  or  that,  there  was  no  rest;  the  void  could  not 
be  felt;  a  circle  can  never  fill  a  triangle;  temporal  ob- 
jects are  not  suited  to  the  make  of  the  immortal  mind; 
all  things  love  the  element  suited  to  their  nature,  and 
the  element  of  the  soul  is  the  enjoyment  of  God.  Hence 
only  when  seeking  my  happiness  in  him,  would  I  say, 
This  is  my  rest;  here  will  I  abide  forever;  here  is  firm 
footing;  here  is  solid  rock.     In  afflictions  I  have  some- 
times felt  great  dulness,  but  more  generally  a  deep  bum- 
bling, and  crying  to  God;  flying  to  hira  as  my  only. re- 
fuge.  The  true  christian  then  especially  seeks  his  solace 
in  God.     In  times  of  danger  J  have  often  felt  a  calm  and 
firm  reliance  upon  his  almighty  power  and  goodness, 
looking  only  for  deliverance  through  him,  and  by  such 
means  as  his  wisdom  might  point  out. 

With  regard  to  divine  and  brotherly  love,  it  has  some- 
times appeared  from  the  sensible  coldness  of  my  heart, 
dulness  of  my  {>rayers,  want  of  lively  zeal,  small  stock  of 
patience,  meekness,  and  beavenly-mindedness,  that  1  did 
not  love  at  all.  1  have  gone  a  little  further  in  search  of 
proof.    Would  you  deny  Christ  lor  all  tbe  worlds  tiol 

T 


^: 


l; 


218 


MEMOIRS  OF 


fiave  you  not  more  exalted  thoughts  of  the  ineffable 
Redeeraer  than  of  all  besides  in  earth  or  heaven  ?  Yesl 
"  Whom  have  1  in  heaven  but  thee,  and  there  is  none  on 
earth  1  desire  besides  thee  ?"  Would  you  rather  suffer 
with  Christ,  than  sin  with  the  world  ?  Yes,  I  would. 
Would  you  rather  beg  with  Christ  than  reign  with  Ce- 
iar?  Yes,  a  thousand  fold.  Do  you  admire  Christ  as  a 
king,  prophet,  and  lawgiver?  Yes,  supremely.  Is  not 
your  little  conformity  to  him  the  greatest  pain  you  feel  ? 
Yes,  "  it  is  worse  than  death  my  God  to  love,  and  not 
my  God  alone !"  Is  not  the  least  comfort  you  have  in 
Christ  greater  than  the  world  ever  gave  you  without 
him  ?  Is  his  cross  pleasant  ?  Not  indeed  to  my  flesh  and 
blood  ?  but  to  my  judgment,  mind,  and  conscience,  it  is 
truly  pleasant. 

I  have  often  had  to  accuse  myself  wilh  want  of  more 
aeal.  Sometimes,  indeed,  the  value  of  souls,  the  hurtful- 
ness  of  sin,  and  the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom,  have 
appeared  in  all  their  magnitude,  and  rested  with  solemn 
weight  upon  my  mind.  This  desire  has  frequently  given 
an  ardency  to  my  prayers,  a  closeness  to  tny  reading,  a 
<]iligence  to  my  visiting,  and  an  earnestness  to  my  preach- 
ing. My  soul  has  always  rejoiced,  when  I  have  read 
accounts  of  the  spread  of  the  gospel,  and  the  increase  of 
Christ's  kingdom.  I  have  loved  the  gates  of  Zion,  and 
the  prosperity  of  religion,  not  merely  among  one  deno- 
mination,  or  in  one  country,  but  throughout  the  world. 
That  zeal  which  has  only  for  its  object  the  support  of  a 
party  or  the  prosperity  of  a  sect,  is  utterly  unworthy  the 
cause  of  Christ. 

Finally,  I  will  conclude  this  little  memoir  in  the  pray- 
er  of  A  pious  author :  «  Almighty  God,  look  down  on 
thine  erring  creature,  pity  my  darkness  and  imperfec- 
tion, direct  me  into  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jeaus,  banish 
from  my  heart  the  bitterness  of  censure,  and  enable  me 
0  cherish  a  spirit  of^  moderation  and  love  towards  my 
leiiowchriitiaiiB.    To mj  seal  add  knowledge, charity ; 


•  .•«:.'»**•»»»  :^»„-,,.<«iai«.ll!«.. 


ineffable 
n?  Ytsl 
)  none  on 
tier  suffep 
I  woiiltl. 
with  Ce- 
irist  as  a 
•  Is  not 
you  feel  ? 
)  and  not 
1  have  in 
I  without 
flesh  and 
ince,  it  is 

:  of  more 
e  hurtful- 
3m,  have 
h  solemn 
t\y  given 
eading,  a 
y preach- 
ave  read 
crease  of 
Sion,  and 
>ne  deno- 
le  world, 
•port  of  a 
Drthy  the 

the  pray- 
down  on 
imperfec- 
s,  banish 
nable  me 
vards  my 
» charity  j 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN.  g,^ 

make  me  hnmMe  under  difficulties  which  adhere  to  my 
faith;  and  patient  under  the  perplexities  that  accompa- 
ny  my  practice.  Guide  me  by  thy  counsel ;  «„<!  thro-U 
the  merits  and  mediation  of  thy  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  r«. 
ceive  me  at  last  into  thy  kingdom  and  glory.** 


The  Author's   Farendl  on  leaving  the  City  of 
New-York, 

FAREWELL,  my  dear  friends;  this  is  the  last  time  I 
may  address  you  in  this  vale  of  sorrow.     We  meet  ind 
part;  but  in   heaven  the  painful  sound  of  parting  will 
never  more  pass  our  lips  or  tear  our  hearts.     Here,  wc 
have  to  pay  large  contributions  to  sorrow  and  disappoint- 
went;  there,  friendship  will  be  perfect,  because  perpetu- 
al  /  and  perpetual,  because  there  will  be  no  sin.     Alas  ! 
how  soon  do  we  in  this  world  resign  our  friends  to  the 
arms  of  death,*  even  if  they  are  not  separated  from  u^  by 
the  calls  of  Providence.     Two  years  ago,  1  came  a  stran- 
ger to  your  shores ;  you  have  treated  me  kindly ;  God 
be  thanked  that  you  had  the  disposition.     Now,  I  leave 
you,  perhaps  for  ever.     Bold  word  !  shall  we  not  meet 
again  ?  Is  there  a  heavenly  country  ?   Yes,  my  fellow-ex- 
ilea,  there  is:  O  let  us  hasten  to  share  the  inheritance  of 
the  saints  in  light. 

Your  kindness  detains  a  large  share  of  my  affections 
behind;  there  is  such  a  thing  as  the  communion  of  saints. 
Christian  friendship  is  not  merely  a  name.  Your  kind- 
ness has  placed  this  beyond  a  doubt.  I  have  been  with 
you  in  time  of  war  and  trouble;  but  though  a  foe  by  na« 


*   Last  Sntlirilflir.  ni>mi>  in  tntr  un>i4:nn>  *\>l.,     t  ~^.^ J    i.\ jw*  .Jkt 

IVfi  accouBt^  the  death  of  my  aged  and  respected  mother. 


220 


MEMOIRS  OF 


tional  hofltility,  you  have  treated  me  as  a  friend  ;  and  I 
have  felt  for  you  the  affection  of  a  brother.  I  go  from 
you  admiring  your  kindness,  and  regretting  the  provi* 
dence  that  bids  us  separate.  I  did  not  leave  England 
fourteen  years  ago  with  greater  regret,  when  God  and  my 
brethren  called  me  to  preach  the  gospel  in  foreign  lands ; 
I  did  not  quit  Nova  Scotia  with  deefter  reluctance,  after 
labouring  eight  years  among  that  loving  people;  1  did 
not  with  more  pain  separate  myself  from  my  own  spiri- 
tual children  in  Bermuda,  whom  God  was  pleased  to 
raise  up  un<ler  my  own  ministry  in  those  Islands. 

Farewell^  my  dear  friends;  my  labours,  such  as  they 
have  been,  are  ended  among  you;  but  1  shall  not  cease 
to  pray  for  you  when  I  see  your  faces  no  more.  Some 
of  you  have  thought  more  of  my  poor  ministry  than  it 
ever  merited;  but  had  my  sermons  been  as  good  as  St. 
Chrysostome's,  I  should  have  rejoiced  for  your  sakes. 
Farewell^  my  dear  friends;  no  distance  of  time  or  place 
shall  erase  your  kindness  IVom  my  memory.  1  hope 
that,  whether  lifted  upon  the  ridges  of  the  mighty  bil- 
lows, or  surrounded  by  my  friends  in  Great  Britain,  I 
shall  utill  have  both  the  heart  and  the  happiness  to  lift 
my  prayer  to  God  in  your  behalf.  I  exhort  you  to 
make  the  great  business  of  salvation  the  principal  care 
and  concern  of  your  lives.  Always  remember,  that 
the  Lord  Jesus  negotiates  betwixt  God  and  man,  on 
the  great  affairs  of  judgment  and  of  mercy.  He  is  to 
the  christian  system  what  the  sun  is  to  the  world,  the 
light,  the  life,  the  all-pervading  soul.  Make  sure  of  an 
interest  in  him,  and  all  will  be  well.  True  religion  is 
neither  shouting  nor  clapping,  but  peace,  righteousness, 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  If  parted  friends  are  to 
meet  at  beaven*s  gate,  it  will  be  through  this  bond  of  uni- 
on. The  bitterness  of  party,  and  the  hatred  to  country, 
will  be  there  all  done  away,  and  love  will  make  the  blest 
fociety  for  ever  one ;  then  England  will  no  more  vex 
▲meriea,  jQor  Amerlia  England,    the  subjects  of  both 


p»M«. 


JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 


221 


;  and  I 

go  rroni 
5  provi- 
Sngland 
and  my 
a  lands; 
;e,  after 
;  1  did 
rn  8piri- 
;ased  to 

as  they 
>t  cease 
Some 
than  it 
)d  as  St. 
r  eakes. 
)r  place 

1  hope 
;hty  bil- 
itain,  I 
I  to  lift 

you  to 
al  care 
;r,  that 
lan,  on 
[e  is  to 
rid,  the 
'e  of  an 
ligion  is 
3usnea9) 

are  to 
I  of  uni- 
ountry, 
he  blest 
tre  vex 
of  both 


•hall  be  the  citieens  of  heaven,  and  Christ  shall   reiga 
Co<l  over  all  blesaed  for  evermore. 

Farewell^  my  beloved  friends,  I  have  little  to  leave  yoa 
in  return  of  gratitude,  but  the  regrets  and  affections  of  a 
heart  deeply  sensible  of  your  kindness,  and  its  own  un- 
worthiness.     You  will  remember  me  in  those  moments 
when  the  fervency  of  your  prayers  have  opened  the  ho- 
liest of  all.     Your  friendship  has  shed  a  charm  upon  the 
close  of  a  fourteen  years*  absence  from  my  country.     I 
return  home  with  the  pure  satisfaction,  that  I  have  add- 
ed in  this  city  a  number  ef  worthy  persons  to  the  list  of 
jny  former  friends.     I  have  met  with  trials ;    but  I  do 
not  regret  that  I  came  to  this  country.     I  trust  I  have 
acquired  thereby  some  knowledge,  some  experience,  and 
some  patience;  and  I  am  certain  I  have  acquired  some 
friends,  the  price  of  whom  is  far  above  rubies.     A  world 
•in  purchase  for  a  friend  is  cheap.  I  return  to  Europe  with 
a  deep  and  indelible  impregsion  of  gratitude  upon  my 
heart ;  and  did  not  duty  and  providence  call  me,  there 
is  no  place  where  I  coidd  with  more  delight  and  com- 
placency spend  a  portion  of  my  days,  than  in  this  city. 
I  trust  as  I  journey  across  the  vale  of  life,  the  recol- 
lection of  the  last  two  years  of  my  pilgrimage  will  afford 
me  pleasing  solace  and  delightful  reflection.     It  would 
have  added  much  to  the  satisfaction  1  have  felt  among 
you,  if  there  had  been  peace  and  harmony  between  the 
two  countries ;  however,  1  know  it  is  your  wish,  and  I 
am  sure  it  is  my  tervent  prayer,  that  divine  providence 
may  bring  to  pass  such  a  desirable  event ;  meantime,  let 
us  all  unite  to  love  God,  and  to  devote  our  time,  talents, 
body,  soul,  and  spirit,  all  we  have  and  all  we  are,  to  pro- 
mote glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth  peace,  good 
will  towards  man.     Whatsoever  things  are  true,  w^tsd^" 
ever  things  are  honest,  whatsoever  things  are  just,  #^t- 
soever  things  are  pure,  whatsoever  things  are  loVeJy, 
whatsoever  things  are  of  sood  rennrt^  if  there  beafiv  vjfc 
t4ie,  if  there  be  any  praise,  think  of  these  things.  F^aHyi 


*■■• 


222 


MEMOIRS  OF 


brethren,  faremlL  Be  perfect,  be  of  good  comfort,  be 
of  one  min«l,  live  in  peace  j  aud  the  God  of  love  and 
peace  will  be  with  you. 


r 


FAREWELL,  fny  friends,  forgive  that  parting  sigh, 

Forqrive  that  tear  that  trembles  in  my  eye  : 

That  partlnar  sigh,  that  trembling  unforc'd  tear, 

Are  pledge  and  emblem  of  a  heart  sincere. 

My  heart,  to  friendship's  magnet  ever  true, 

Feels  deeply  paiu'd  to  separate  from  you ; 

From  you,  who  knew  a  stranger's*  heart,  and  felt 

The  goul  to  sympathize,  the  eye  to  melt. 

There  is  a  friend  that  shares  the  vital  smart,^ 

When  sorrow  rankles  in  a  brother's  heart} 

Born  for  adversity  and  form'd  to  feel 

A  brother's  sorrow  and  a  brother's  weal ; 

With  heart  to  sytnpathlze,  and  hand  to  bless, 

The  man  of  sorrow  lu  hts  keen  distress: 

Such  friends,  I  owdj  are  precious,  choice,  and  rare. 

But  you  the  bright,  the  noble  title  bear; 

May  God  reward  you  all  a  thousand  fold, 

With  blessings  purer  than  Peruvian  gold; 

At  the  great  day,  in  your  rapt  ears  declare, 

***T«ra8  me  ye  succour'd  in  my  minister.'* 

I  may  to  far,  to  distant  regions  mil, 

Where  flames  the  sun,  or  roars  the  polar  gale : 

Yet  Rtill  your  names  and  friendship  I'll  retain, 

And  Alps  shall  rise,  and  Oceans  part  in  vain. 

Oft  as  the  sun  in  flaming  purple  d-  est. 

Prone  rolls  his  mild  career  towards  the  west; 

I'll  waft  a  sigh,  the  warmest  in  my  h^^ 

To  you,  my  friends,  three  thousand  miles  apart. 

Whene'er  bright  recollection  bids  me  stray, 

To  these  far  regions  of  the  closing  day, 

(And  oft  I  shall  the  pleasing  scene  review,) 

I'll  thick  and  speak  with  gratitude  of  you. 

O  may  we  meet  on  that  delightful  shore. 

Where  rolling  seas  shall  never  sunder  more ; 

Where  sacred  friendship,  form'd  and  fix'd  bcloii^ 

&ii«eu'a  io  iove,  thro"'  euiUeM  years  shall  growi 


GOL 

Si 


-m 


JOSHUA  MARS  DEN. 

Still,  still,  my  friendg  the  bi:  *fui  path  pursue- 
Keep  grace  and  ^lory  ever  in  your  view  : 
And  when,  as  hcaveu  wills,  our  race  is  run, 
Our  warfare  finish'd,  and  our  work  well  done. 
We  shall  with  Jesu's  ransom'd  people  dwell- 
liU  that  bl.'^t  period  come,  Adieu,  Farewell. 

JOSHUA  MARSDEN. 

Gold-street,  Nev/-York, 
Sept,  16,  1814. 


225 


FINIS. 


■  ^mi 


'=#. 


# 


^ 


*ifc;' 


